Area of zoo
Blackburn Pavilion
Enclosure status
Open
IUCN status
Least Concern
Scientific name
Nectarinia coccinigaster
Order
Passeriformes
Type
Birds
Family
Nectariniidae
Region
West and central tropical Africa
Habitat
Wet savannah and forests

Splendid sunbird facts

This nectar-feeding species has specially adapted tongue and bill so that it can easily feed on juicy nectar. Splendid sunbirds can also hover, just like a hummingbird, to access all flowers, although it does like to perch where possible.

Splendid sunbird perched on a flower
Splendid sunbird perched on a wired fence

What do splendid sunbirds look like?

Male birds can be spotted through their glossy purple feathers and a dark green back. They also possess a crimson breast patch. The female birds are coloured green and brown, with a yellow plumage below. 

What do splendid sunbirds eat?

Mostly nectar but they will also eat insects, which they feed to their young.

Birds at the Zoo

  • Waldrapp ibis at London zoo
    Geronticus eremita

    Waldrapp ibis

    There are only around 250 of these birds left in the wild, spread thinly across many countries.

  • A greater flamingo with a chick
    Greater flamingos

    Greater flamingo

    Discover exciting facts about greater flamingos.

  • A pair of pelicans at London Zoo
    Eastern white pelican

    Eastern white pelican

    Find out everything you need to know about Eastern white pelicans.

  • Ruppell's griffon vulture close up
    Gyps rueppelli

    Ruppell’s griffon vulture

    This vulture holds the record for the greatest flying height recorded for any bird.

  • Red and yellow barbet on a branch in a tree
    Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

    Red and yellow barbet

    They dig tunnels into banks and termite mounds to create nest chambers, and their calls sound like "red and yellow" repeated.

  • Abdim's stork at London Zoo
    Ciconia abdimii

    Abdim's Stork

    Abdim’s stork are thought to bring rain and good luck, and form huge flocks of up to 10,000 birds.