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Sunbirds

Sunbirds and spiderhunters, part of the family Nectariniidae, are vibrant Old World passerines predominantly found in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Australia and New Guinea, with the highest diversity near the equator. These small, slender birds typically have curved bills suited for nectar-feeding, often exhibit iridescent plumage in males, and sometimes possess elongated tail feathers. They number 145 species across 16 genera and are known for their fast, direct flight, also feeding on insects and spiders, vital for their chicks. Sunbirds can hover like hummingbirds to feed on nectar, but usually prefer perching. They share ecological niches with distant relatives such as hummingbirds in the Americas and honeyeaters in Australia, showcasing convergent evolution. Some species enter nightly torpor in colder climates to conserve energy. Their nesting habits, including suspended purse-shaped constructions made from spiderwebs, vary among species and locations. These birds actively pollinate African flowers through nectar feeding, and while they're generally resilient to habitat changes and not threatened by the pet trade, some species do experience negative impacts from human activities, such as agricultural development. The family has mostly managed to thrive despite environmental changes.

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A photo of a Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) , male

Amethyst Sunbird

Chalcomitra amethystina

Bronzy Sunbird

Nectarinia kilimensis
A photo of a Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris) , male

Collared Sunbird

Hedydipna collaris

Copper Sunbird

Cinnyris cupreus
A photo of a Dusky Sunbird (Cinnyris fuscus) , male

Dusky Sunbird

Cinnyris fuscus

Eastern Miombo Sunbird

Cinnyris manoensis
A photo of a Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer) , male

Greater Double-collared Sunbird

Cinnyris afer
A photo of a Grey Sunbird (Cyanomitra veroxii)

Grey Sunbird

Cyanomitra veroxii
A photo of a Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) , male

Malachite Sunbird

Nectarinia famosa
A photo of a Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) , male

Marico Sunbird

Cinnyris mariquensis

Neergaard's Sunbird

Cinnyris neergaardi
A photo of a Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea)

Olive Sunbird

Cyanomitra olivacea
A photo of a Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) , male

Orange-breasted Sunbird

Anthobaphes violacea

Plain-backed Sunbird

Anthreptes reichenowi
A photo of a Purple-banded Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus) , male

Purple-banded Sunbird

Cinnyris bifasciatus
A photo of a Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis) , male

Scarlet-chested Sunbird

Chalcomitra senegalensis

Shelley's Sunbird

Cinnyris shelleyi
A photo of a Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) , male

Southern Double-collared Sunbird

Cinnyris chalybeus
A photo of a Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus) , male

Variable Sunbird

Cinnyris venustus

Western Violet-backed Sunbird

Anthreptes longuemarei
A photo of a White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) , male

White-bellied Sunbird

Cinnyris talatala
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