The copper sunbird is a species of passerine bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is native to tropical Africa, its 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.
Region
Tropical Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from West Africa (e.g., Senegal and Guinea) east to South Sudan and Kenya, and south to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It favors woodland edges, savanna with scattered trees, riverine (gallery) forests, and cultivated areas with flowering shrubs. The species is frequently found in parks and gardens where ornamental flowers provide nectar. Local movements track the timing of blooms, but populations are largely sedentary across much of the range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The copper sunbird is a small, fast-moving nectar specialist that also snaps up tiny insects, especially when feeding young. Males show an attractive coppery-iridescent sheen that can look greenish or bronze depending on the light. They readily visit flowering trees and garden shrubs, making them a familiar sight in many West and Central African towns. Like other sunbirds, they have a long, decurved bill adapted for probing tubular flowers.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in loose associations at rich flowering resources. Pairs defend nectar sources vigorously during breeding. The nest is a suspended, oval pouch of plant fibers and spider webs with a side entrance, built low to mid-canopy. Generally monogamous within a breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of twitters and rapid tsee-tsee notes delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp chips and metallic tinks, often given in quick sequences while foraging.
Plumage
Male shows a glossy coppery-bronze to greenish iridescence on head and upperparts with darker wings and tail; underparts can appear dark with metallic highlights depending on light. Female is duller, olive-brown above with yellowish to pale underparts and faint streaking on the breast. Both sexes have sleek, close-set feathers typical of sunbirds and a slender, decurved bill.
Diet
Primarily takes nectar from a wide variety of flowering trees, shrubs, and vines, probing blossoms with its curved bill. It supplements nectar with small insects and spiders, gleaned from foliage or snatched in short sallies. Arthropods become especially important during chick-rearing for protein. It may also sip from cultivated ornamentals and opportunistically feed at sap flows or honeydew.
Preferred Environment
Frequently forages in woodland edges, gardens, plantations, and riverine thickets where flowers are abundant. Often feeds high in the canopy but will descend to shrubs and garden plants, especially during peak bloom. Uses perches near flower clusters to make repeated short visits.
