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Nectariniidae - Sunbirds, Spiderhunters

There are about 124 species of birds in this family. They are all found in Asia, Africa, and Australia.

They are small birds, between 3-8 inches in length. They have long, thin, down-curved bills; long tongues; medium to long tails; and short legs.

Many species are brightly colored and have a metallic sheen. Males are usually more brightly colored than females.

They are found in forests and scrublands. They eat nectar, insects, and small fruits. They are very good fliers and some can hover like hummingbirds while taking nectar, but most perch to feed.

  • The handsome sunbird is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Handsome Sunbird
    (Aethopyga bella)
    The handsome sunbird is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The fork-tailed sunbird is found in China, Hong Kong, Laos, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Fork-Tailed Sunbird
    (Aethopyga christinae)
    The fork-tailed sunbird is found in China, Hong Kong, Laos, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The white-flanked sunbird is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    White-Flanked Sunbird
    (Aethopyga eximia)
    The white-flanked sunbird is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • Gould's sunbird is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Gould's Sunbird
    (Aethopyga gouldiae)
    Gould's sunbird is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The green-tailed sunbird is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Green-Tailed Sunbird
    (Aethopyga nipalensis)
    The green-tailed sunbird is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The black-throated sunbird is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Black-Throated Sunbird
    (Aethopyga saturata)
    The black-throated sunbird is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The lovely sunbird is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Lovely Sunbird
    (Aethopyga shelleyi)
    The lovely sunbird is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The crimson sunbird is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Crimson Sunbird
    (Aethopyga siparaja)
    The crimson sunbird is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The orange-breasted sunbird is found in South Africa. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Orange-Breasted Sunbird
    (Anthobaphes violacea)
    The orange-breasted sunbird is found in South Africa. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The mouse-brown sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Mouse-Brown Sunbird
    (Anthreptes gabonicus)
    The mouse-brown sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The plain-throated sunbird is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Plain-Throated Sunbird
    (Anthreptes malacensis)
    The plain-throated sunbird is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The plain-backed sunbird is found in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Near Threatened
    Plain-Backed Sunbird
    (Anthreptes reichenowi)
    The plain-backed sunbird is found in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Near Threatened
  • The naked-faced spiderhunter is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Naked-Faced Spiderhunter
    (Arachnothera clarae)
    The naked-faced spiderhunter is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The little spiderhunter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Little Spiderhunter
    (Arachnothera longirostra)
    The little spiderhunter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The amethyst sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Amethyst Sunbird
    (Chalcomitra amethystina)
    The amethyst sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The scarlet-chested sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Scarlet-Chested Sunbird
    (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
    The scarlet-chested sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The purple-banded sunbird is found in Afghanistan,Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Purple -Banded Sunbird
    (Cinnyris bifasciatus)
    The purple-banded sunbird is found in Afghanistan,Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The southern double-collared sunbird is found in Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Southern Double-Collared Sunbird
    (Cinnyris chalybeus)
    The southern double-collared sunbird is found in Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The copper sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Copper Sunbird
    (Cinnyris cupreus)
    The copper sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Seychelles sunbird is found in Seychelles. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Seychelles Sunbird
    (Cinnyris dussumieri)
    The Seychelles sunbird is found in Seychelles. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The red-chested sunbird is found in Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Red-Chested Sunbird
    (Cinnyris erythrocercus)
    The red-chested sunbird is found in Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The dusky sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Dusky Sunbird
    (Cinnyris fuscus)
    The dusky sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The olive-backed sunbird is found in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Olive-Backed Sunbird
    (Cinnyris jugularis)
    The olive-backed sunbird is found in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Marico sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Marico Sunbird
    (Cinnyris mariquensis)
    The Marico sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Palestine sunbird is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Palestine Sunbird
    (Cinnyris osea)
    The Palestine sunbird is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The beautiful sunbird is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Beautiful Sunbird
    (Cinnyris pulchellus)
    The beautiful sunbird is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The regal sunbird is found in Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Regal Sunbird
    (Cinnyris regius)
    The regal sunbird is found in Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The northern double-collared sunbird is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Northern Double-Collared Sunbird
    (Cinnyris reichenowi)
    The northern double-collared sunbird is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-breasted sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Breasted Sunbird
    (Cinnyris talatala)
    The white-breasted sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The variable sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Variable Sunbird
    (Cinnyris venustus)
    The variable sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The purple-banded sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Purple-Banded Sunbird
    (Cinnyris asiaticus)
    The purple-banded sunbird is found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The splendid sunbird is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Splendid Sunbird
    (Cinnyris coccinigastrus)
    The splendid sunbird is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The olive sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Olive Sunbird
    (Cyanomitra olivacea)
    The olive sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The mouse-colored sunbird is found in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mouse-Colored Sunbird
    (Cyanomitra verreauxii)
    The mouse-colored sunbird is found in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green-headed sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Green-Headed Sunbird
    (Cyanomitra verticalis)
    The green-headed sunbird is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The golden-winged sunbird is found in Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Golden-Winged Sunbird
    (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi)
    The golden-winged sunbird is found in Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The collared sunbird is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Collared Sunbird
    (Hedydipna collaris)
    The collared sunbird is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Nile Valley sunbird is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Nile Valley Sunbird
    (Hedydipna metallica)
    The Nile Valley sunbird is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The purple-throated sunbird is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Purple-Throated Sunbird
    (Leptocoma sperata)
    The purple-throated sunbird is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The purple-rumped sunbird is found in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Purple-Rumped Sunbird
    (Leptocoma zeylonica)
    The purple-rumped sunbird is found in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The malachite sunbird is found in Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Malachite Sunbird
    (Nectarinia famosa)
    The malachite sunbird is found in Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The bronze sunbird is found in Angola, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Bronze Sunbird
    (Nectarinia kilimensis)
    The bronze sunbird is found in Angola, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The crimson-backed sunbird is found in India. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Crimson-Backed Sunbird
    (Nectarinia minima)
    The crimson-backed sunbird is found in India. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Tacazze sunbird is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tacazze Sunbird
    (Nectarinia tacazze)
    The Tacazze sunbird is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The Malachite Sunbird is one of the species found in this family.
The Malachite Sunbird is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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