Hunter's sunbird

Hunter's sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

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Distribution

Region

East Africa and the Horn of Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs from Somalia and eastern Ethiopia south through Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and into northern Tanzania. It favors arid to semi-arid thornbush, Acacia-Commiphora scrub, dry savanna, and woodland edges, and readily visits flowering gardens and plantations. The species tracks flowering events locally and may concentrate where nectar is abundant. It avoids dense forest but uses riparian thickets and bushy slopes. Often found near flowering aloes, Leonotis, and acacias.

Altitude Range

0–2000 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm

Wing Span17–20 cm

Male Weight0.008 kg

Female Weight0.007 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Hunter's sunbird is an East African sunbird adapted to dry bush and savanna, often following seasonal blooms of acacias, aloes, and other nectar-rich plants. Males show striking iridescence and a vivid red chest patch, while females are much duller and well-camouflaged. They hover to feed like hummingbirds but also perch frequently while nectaring. Nests are neat, pendant pouches woven from plant fibers and spider silk.

Gallery

Illustration by Keulemans (1889)

Behaviour

Temperament

active and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with frequent hovering at flowers

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, with males defending nectar sources vigorously. Forms loose associations where flowers are abundant and may accompany mixed-species flocks in bushland. The nest is a pendant, oval pouch suspended from a twig, constructed from grasses and plant fibers bound with spider webs. Both parents attend the young, with increased insect provisioning during chick-rearing.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a rapid series of high-pitched twitters and tinkling notes, delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp tsip and chittering contact notes, becoming more insistent near feeding territories.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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