Sunbirds of South Africa

15 sunbirds have been recorded in South Africa on eBird, the global citizen-science database run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and carry a full profile in the Birbs encyclopedia. Every bird below is a member of this group — the family Nectariniidae. Start with the well-known species, browse the complete list, then check which are being reported near you right now.

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Sunbirds of South Africa to know first

• Amethyst SunbirdChalcomitra amethystina
• Collared SunbirdHedydipna collaris
• Dusky SunbirdCinnyris fuscus
• Greater Double-collared SunbirdCinnyris afer
• Grey SunbirdCyanomitra veroxii
• Malachite SunbirdNectarinia famosa
• Marico SunbirdCinnyris mariquensis
• Neergaard’s SunbirdCinnyris neergaardi
• Olive SunbirdCyanomitra olivacea
• Plain-backed SunbirdAnthreptes reichenowi
• Purple-banded SunbirdCinnyris bifasciatus
• Scarlet-chested SunbirdChalcomitra senegalensis
• Southern Double-collared SunbirdCinnyris chalybeus
• White-bellied SunbirdCinnyris talatala

The full list — 15 sunbirds of South Africa in our library

• Amethyst Sunbird
• Collared Sunbird
• Dusky Sunbird
• Greater Double-collared Sunbird
• Grey Sunbird
• Malachite Sunbird
• Marico Sunbird
• Neergaard’s Sunbird
• Olive Sunbird
• Orange-breasted Sunbird
• Plain-backed Sunbird
• Purple-banded Sunbird
• Scarlet-chested Sunbird
• Southern Double-collared Sunbird
• White-bellied Sunbird

Keep exploring

• Birds of South Africa
• Hawks, Eagles & Kites of South Africa (51 species)
• Old World Flycatchers & Chats of South Africa (42 species)
• Sandpipers & Allies of South Africa (37 species)
• Petrels & Shearwaters of South Africa (35 species)
• Ducks, Geese & Swans of South Africa (33 species)
• Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of South Africa (33 species)
• Cisticolas & Allies of South Africa (32 species)
• Larks of South Africa (27 species)
• Weavers of South Africa (25 species)
• Wagtails & Pipits of South Africa (24 species)
• Waxbills & Munias of South Africa (23 species)
• Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of South Africa (21 species)
• Plovers of South Africa (20 species)
• Swallows & Martins of South Africa (19 species)
• Cuckoos of South Africa (18 species)

Sunbirds in other regions

• Sunbirds of Tanzania (48 species)
• Sunbirds of Kenya (37 species)
• Sunbirds of Indonesia (30 species)
• Sunbirds of Thailand (22 species)
• Sunbirds of Malaysia (20 species)
• Sunbirds of the Philippines (19 species)

Species and counts come from the eBird network; "recorded" means reported by birders to eBird. Family grouping follows the IOC World Bird List. Tap any bird for its full profile.