Copper Sunbird
Cinnyris cupreus
The Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) is a rare spiderhunters and sunbird found in 34 countries, weighing about 9 g. The copper sunbird is a species of passerine bird in the family Nectariniidae.
About the Copper Sunbird
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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult male copper sunbird is about 12.5 cm (5 in) long. The subspecies C. c. cupreus inhabits the western part of its range and weighs about 7.5 to 11 g (0.26 to 0.39 oz). The male C. c. chalceus, from the eastern half, weighs 7.5 to 11 g (0.26 to 0.39 oz) while the female of both subspecies weighs 7.3 to 10.2 g (0.26 to 0.36 oz). C. c. cupreus: Senegal to east Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, west Kenya and west Tanzania C. c. chalceus: Angola to southeast Democratic Republic of the Congo, west Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa.
When to see it
The Copper Sunbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Copper Sunbird?
- The adult male copper sunbird is about 12.5 cm (5 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Copper Sunbird?
- The Copper Sunbird is a tiny sized bird weighing about 9 g.
- Where can you see a Copper Sunbird?
- The Copper Sunbird occurs in 34 countries, including Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- What birds look similar to a Copper Sunbird?
- The Copper Sunbird is most easily confused with the Souimanga Sunbird, the Souimanga Sunbird and the Olive-bellied Sunbird.
- Is the Copper Sunbird endangered?
- The Copper Sunbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Copper Sunbird for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.