Sunbirds and spiderhunters make up the family Nectariniidae of passerine birds. They are small, slender passerines from the Old World, usually with downward-curved bills. Many are brightly coloured, often with iridescent feathers, particularly in the males. Many species also have especially long tail feathers. Their range extends through most of Africa to the Middle East, South Asia, South-east Asia and southern China, to Indonesia, New Guinea and northern Australia. Species diversity is highest in equatorial regions.
Sunbird
The spectacled spiderhunter is the largest species of sunbird
Female Seychelles sunbird at the nest with prey
Sunbird drinking nectar from typical bird-pollinated flower
Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae. With approximately 366 species and 113 genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most species are found in Central and South America. As of 2024, 21 hummingbird species are listed as endangered or critically endangered, with numerous species declining in population.
Hummingbird
Adult male bee hummingbird, Cuba
Close-up of toe arrangement in a ruby-throated hummingbird foot, showing three claw-like toes forward and one backward.
A nesting female Allen's hummingbird
