Plain-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes reichenowi)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Plain-backed Sunbird

Anthreptes reichenowi Gunning, 1909

7.3 gWeight

The plain-backed sunbird, also known as blue-throated sunbird (Anthreptes reichenowi) is a sunbird.

Busiest months: October–December · Most records: Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: October–December · Most records: Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa

Plain-backed Sunbird has been recorded at 11 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 4 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Arabuko-Sokoke Forest NRKenya379 records
  2. Dunes de DovelaMozambique92 records
  3. Coutada 12Mozambique47 records
More places
  1. Tembe Elephant ParkSouth Africa33 records
  2. East Usambara Mountains – Amani Nature ReserveTanzania21 records
  3. M'phingwe LodgeMozambique14 records
  4. San Sebastian Peninsula – Land – please consider using different hotspots for birding on the sandbars and islandsMozambique4 records
  5. Mida CreekKenya2 records
  6. DO NOT USE** Ndumo GRSouth Africa2 records
  7. Panda WoodlandsMozambique1 record

Countries and regions with the most records

KenyaMozambiqueSouth AfricaTanzania

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The plain-backed sunbird, also known as blue-throated sunbird (Anthreptes reichenowi) is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Plain-backed Sunbird?

The Plain-backed Sunbird weighs around 7.3 g.

Where does the Plain-backed Sunbird live?

Its breeding range: Africa: eastern, southeastern. It is most often recorded in Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa.

When is the best time to see the Plain-backed Sunbird?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in October, November and December (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Plain-backed Sunbird endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Plain-backed Sunbird as Least Concern.

What does the Plain-backed Sunbird eat?

Main food: Nectar.

What family is the Plain-backed Sunbird in?

It belongs to the family Sunbirds (Nectariniidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Weight
7.3 g
Habitat
Forest
Diet
Nectar
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
54 mm
Tail
38 mm
Bill
16 mm
Tarsus
15 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: eastern, southeastern

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Sunbirds Nectariniidae
Genus
Anthreptes

Other birds in the genus Anthreptes

Anchieta's SunbirdAnchieta's SunbirdAnthreptes anchietaePlain SunbirdPlain SunbirdAnthreptes simplexBrown-throated SunbirdBrown-throated SunbirdAnthreptes malacensisGrey-throated SunbirdGrey-throated SunbirdAnthreptes griseigularisRed-throated SunbirdRed-throated SunbirdAnthreptes rhodolaemusMangrove SunbirdMangrove SunbirdAnthreptes gabonicusWestern Violet-backed SunbirdWestern Violet-backed SunbirdAnthreptes longuemareiEastern Violet-backed SunbirdEastern Violet-backed SunbirdAnthreptes orientalisUluguru Violet-backed SunbirdUluguru Violet-backed SunbirdAnthreptes neglectusViolet-tailed SunbirdViolet-tailed SunbirdAnthreptes aurantiusLittle Green SunbirdLittle Green SunbirdAnthreptes seimundiYellow-chinned SunbirdYellow-chinned SunbirdAnthreptes rectirostris
Plain-backed Sunbird

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Niall Perrins. ↗

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