Copper Sunbird

Overview

The Cinnyris cupreus is a small passerine bird in the family Nectariniidae, native to tropical Africa. It is a non-migratory species that is resident across its wide range, extending from Senegal and Guinea in the west to South Sudan and Kenya in the east, and southwards to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Identification

• Adult males are approximately 12.5 cm long and weigh between 7.5 and 11 g.
• Females are slightly smaller, weighing between 7.3 and 10.2 g.

Habitat

The species inhabits savannas, degraded forest, woodland, marshes, mangroves, coastal thickets, and agricultural land. It has a wide distribution across tropical Africa, including countries such as Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Diet

This bird feeds primarily on nectar sipped from flowers such as Calliandra spp., Leonotis leonurus, Syzygium spp., and Senegalia polyacantha. It also consumes fruits, spiders, and insects, some of which are caught on the wing.

Did you know?

Despite being a specialist nectar feeder, it is an opportunist that frequently catches insects on the wing.