The purple-naped spiderhunter or purple-naped sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is the only species in the genus Kurochkinegramma. It is found in Southeast Asia from Myanmar to Sumatra and Borneo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Myanmar and Thailand through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and hill forests, often frequenting forest edges, secondary growth, and flowering trees in clearings. The species forages primarily in the mid- to upper canopy but will descend to understory blossoms when available. It adapts reasonably well to disturbed forest with adequate floral resources, including gardens near forest margins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This is the only species in its genus, a distinctive spiderhunter within the sunbird family. It uses its long, decurved bill to pierce flowers for nectar and also takes spiders and small insects. By visiting a wide range of blossoms, it acts as an important pollinator in Southeast Asian forests.
Temperament
active and somewhat territorial around flowering resources
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, darting flights between flowering trees
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy. Builds a hanging, purse-like nest suspended from leaves or fronds, bound with plant fibers and spider silk. The species defends rich nectar sources but is otherwise unobtrusive within the forest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are high, thin, and metallic, including sharp tsee-tsee notes and short whistles. Song phrases are simple and repeated, carrying well through the mid-canopy.
