The white-bellied sunbird, also known as the white-breasted sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Region
Southern and Eastern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from Angola and Namibia through Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique to Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe. Prefers open woodland, savanna, thicket, riverine scrub, and suburban gardens with abundant flowering plants. It is especially common where aloes, Erythrina, and other nectar sources are available. Avoids dense closed-canopy forests and the most arid desert interiors. Often uses edges, clearings, and riparian corridors that offer year-round blossoms.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small sunbird is a key pollinator of many southern African flowering plants, including aloes and other nectar-rich shrubs. While capable of brief hovering, it usually perches to feed. Males aggressively defend flowering bushes from rivals. It adapts well to gardens and will visit nectar feeders with sugar-water mixtures.
Female at nest entrance
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent hovering at flowers
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Males defend nectar resources vigorously against conspecifics and other nectar feeders. The nest is a suspended purse-shaped structure woven from plant fibers and spider webs, usually placed in shrubs or low trees. Both parents attend the young, with the female doing most of the incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a fast, high-pitched jumble of twitters and thin tinkling notes. Calls include sharp tsee and tsip phrases, often given while foraging or chasing intruders.
