Nectariniidae
Nectariniidae, songbird family, order Passeriformes, consisting of the sunbirds and spider hunters, approximately 130 species of small, brilliantly coloured birds widespread throughout the warmer forests of Africa and Asia.
Members range in size from 9 to 22 cm (3.5 to 8.5 inches) long. They have slender downcurved bills, partially tubular tongues, and short, rounded wings. They feed on small insects and sip nectar from small flowers (e.g., Anthreptes, Nectarinia, Aethopyga). The group called spider hunters (Arachnothera) are found primarily in the Orient.
The Nectariniidae belong to the songbird suborder (Passeri).
Citation Information
Article Title:
Nectariniidae
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
10 March 2010
Access Date:
March 14, 2025