The Palestine sunbird is a small passerine bird of the sunbird family, Nectariniidae. Found in parts of the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, it is also known as the northern orange-tufted sunbird. However, the name "orange-tufted sunbird" refers to another species, found further south in Africa. In 2015, the Palestinian Authority adopted the species as a national bird, after losing in Israel's national bird public vote in 2008 in favor of the Hoopoe. The specific name osea is derived from Ancient Greek ὁσια.
Region
Levant and southwestern Arabian Peninsula
Typical Environment
The Palestine sunbird occurs across the Levant, including the State of Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and adjacent areas, and extends south along the Red Sea rim into the highlands of southwestern Arabia. It occupies dry scrub, thorny woodland, wadis, rocky slopes, oases, and cultivated areas. It adapts well to villages, towns, and gardens where nectar-rich ornamentals are present. In arid zones it concentrates near flowering shrubs and trees and seasonal water sources.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Males flash iridescent blue‑green to purple plumage and reveal bright orange pectoral tufts during display, while females are drab gray-brown. Its long, decurved bill is adapted to sipping nectar, but it also hawks small insects, especially when feeding young. The species readily uses gardens and ornamental plantings, and was adopted as the national bird by the State of Palestine in 2015.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent hovering
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, with males defending nectar resources vigorously. Pairs build a hanging, purse-shaped nest from plant fibers and spider silk, often suspended in shrubs or human structures. Clutch size is small, and both parents provision the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, tinkling series of rapid notes and twitters interspersed with thin, metallic chips. Males sing from exposed perches during the breeding season and give sharp contact calls while foraging.
Plumage
Male glossy, iridescent blue‑green to purplish-black with velvety sheen; female plain gray-brown above with paler underparts. Feathers are sleek, with males showing small orange pectoral tufts when excited or displaying.
Diet
Primarily nectar from tubular and brushy flowers such as aloes, caper, and acacia, accessed by probing and sometimes by piercing flower bases. Also takes small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or hawked in short sallies, especially during chick-rearing. Will occasionally consume small fruits or sap from damaged stems.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in flowering shrubs, thorn scrub, gardens, orchards, and along wadis. Frequently visits ornamental plantings in urban areas and exploits seasonal blooms in semi-desert habitats.
