Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Violet-tailed Sunbird
Anthreptes aurantius
Violet-tailed Sunbird (Anthreptes aurantius) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Violet-tailed Sunbird (Anthreptes aurantius) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 12.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Nectariniidae Sunbirds
- Genus Anthreptes
- Species aurantius
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12.5 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Violet-tailed Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Violet-tailed Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Violet-tailed Sunbird (Anthreptes aurantius) belongs to the Nectariniidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Cameroon to e DR Congo and s to n Angola.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12.5 g, with a wing length of about 6.4 cm and a tail of around 4.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.7 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Violet-tailed Sunbird?
The Violet-tailed Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 12.5 g.
Where does the Violet-tailed Sunbird live?
The Violet-tailed Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF Cameroon to e DR Congo and s to n Angola, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Violet-tailed Sunbird belong to?
The Violet-tailed Sunbird (Anthreptes aurantius) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Violet-tailed Sunbird eat?
The Violet-tailed Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Violet-tailed Sunbird migrate?
The Violet-tailed Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Violet-tailed Sunbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Violet-tailed Sunbird's range?
The Violet-tailed Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 1.7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Nectariniidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.