sunbird

noun

sun·​bird ˈsən-ˌbərd How to pronounce sunbird (audio)
: any of numerous small brilliantly colored oscine birds (family Nectariniidae) of the tropical Old World somewhat resembling hummingbirds

Examples of sunbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Deep in the lowlands of South Asia, the forests are alive with fruit-eating barbets and nectar-sipping sunbirds. Byalice Sun, science.org, 25 Sep. 2024 On the landward side are women with parasols and schoolchildren coasting on bicycles alongside emerald green paddy fields that harbor a wealth of wetland birds: pond herons, darters, sunbirds. Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 Spot South Africa's national flower (the king protea), tiny colorful sunbirds, and even one of the mountain's caracals. Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2021 Some of Southeast Asia’s most majestic avifauna can be found soaring through the park— brahminy kites, barred eagle-owls, and rhinoceros hornbills, to name a few—while dazzling species like the Temminck's sunbird and lesser green leafbird can also be found flitting through the forest. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022 These feeders attracts nectarivores, like the hummingbird, sunbird, and honeyeater. Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023 Goldberg and Leachman, along with Tony Plana (Ugly Betty), are set to play a trio of sunbirds named Lama, Hool and Qapa, respectively. Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2017 Hummingbirds were the most common target, but mantises also went after warblers, sunbirds, honeyeaters, flycatchers, vireos and European robins. Natalie Angier, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sunbird.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunbird was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near sunbird

Cite this Entry

“Sunbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunbird. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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