Sunbird

Flitting like living jewels between the flowers, Southern Africa's sunbirds are the sparkling gems of the garden. These small, quick birds are often mistaken for hummingbirds, but they belong to a different family altogether. The males are especially dazzling, with feathers that shimmer in the sunlight in metallic shades of scarlet, emerald, amethyst, and sapphire.

They are perfectly designed for sipping sweet nectar. With their long, slender, down-curved beaks and even longer tube-like tongues, they can delve deep into a flower that other creatures cannot reach. As they drink, they get dusted with pollen, making them vital messengers who help the flowers make new seeds.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tons Of Sunbirds!

Southern Africa is a sunbird hotspot, home to a dazzling 21 different species! They range from the tiny, 10-centimeter Amethyst Sunbird to the large, 25-centimeter Malachite Sunbird, creating a vibrant rainbow of nectar-feeders across the region.

Insect Snacks

While nectar is their favourite food, sunbirds are not strictly vegetarian. They need protein, so they will also hawk tiny insects out of the air or pluck spiders from their webs to feed their growing chicks.

Homemaker

The female sunbird does all the nest-building, creating a clever, pear-shaped pouch from grass, spiderwebs, and bits of leaves. She cleverly adds a little "porch" at the top and a trailing beard of grass to disguise the entrance from predators.

Photo of an Orange-Breasted Sunbird

Orange-Breasted Sunbirds are especially fond of protea flowers.

Photo of a Southern Double-Collared Sunbird and a White Eye

Sunbirds love to drink nectar and can often be found in gardens.

Photo of Southern Double-Collared Sunbird

Sunbirds have bright plumage that shines in the sun, we call this "iridescence".

Photo of an Orange-Breasted Sunbird

Orange-Breasted Sunbirds are especially fond of protea flowers.

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Learn More about Sunbirds

https://southafrica.co.za/sunbirds.html

https://speciesstatus.sanbi.org/assessment/last-assessment/3020/

https://app.birda.org/species-guide?region=Southern+Africa&category=Sunbirds