The ornate sunbird is a species of bird in the sunbird family Nectariniidae that is endemic to Mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Lesser Sunda Islands. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the olive-backed sunbird, now renamed the garden sunbird.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from mainland Southeast Asia through Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and eastward into parts of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It frequents lowland and foothill forests, mangroves, forest edges, secondary growth, plantations, parks, and gardens. The species thrives in human-modified landscapes where flowering shrubs and trees are abundant. It is common along riverine corridors and coastal scrub and often forages at eye level in towns and villages. Typically perches to feed but can hover briefly to access tubular blossoms.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A recently recognized split from the widespread olive-backed (now often called garden) sunbird, the ornate sunbird occupies mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater and Lesser Sundas. Males show striking iridescence, while females are more subdued for camouflage. With a brush-tipped tongue and decurved bill, it is superbly adapted to sipping nectar but also hunts tiny insects, especially for nestlings. It readily visits flowering gardens and ornamental shrubs in towns and villages.
Nest with female
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief hovering at flowers
Social Behavior
Generally seen singly or in pairs within small feeding territories, especially during the breeding season. Nests are pendant, purse-like structures with a side entrance, often hung from slender branches, wires, or human-made structures. The female typically leads nest construction while the male helps defend the territory; both attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin twittering phrases interspersed with sharp tsip and tzik notes. Males deliver rapid, buzzy trills from exposed perches during display. Calls are frequently given while foraging and in territorial chases.
Plumage
Male has olive upperparts with an iridescent blue-violet throat and upper breast and bright yellow underparts; the female is olive-brown above with yellowish underparts and lacks strong iridescence. Both sexes have a slender, decurved bill and relatively plain wings and tail. Subtle orange pectoral tufts are usually concealed but shown in display.
Diet
Primarily nectar from a wide variety of flowering trees, shrubs, and garden plants. Also takes small arthropods such as gnats, spiders, and caterpillars, especially when provisioning chicks. Occasionally consumes soft fruits or honeydew, and will visit feeders with dilute sugar solution.
Preferred Environment
Edges of forests, mangroves, and secondary growth where flowering plants are abundant. Common in parks, suburban gardens, and plantations, often following blooming cycles. Forages from low shrubs to canopy-level blossoms.
