The purple sunbird is a small bird in the sunbird family. It occurs in parts of the Arabian peninsula and South and Southeast Asia. It has a fast and direct flight and can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird but often perches at the base of flowers. It feeds mainly on nectar and insects, especially when feeding young. The males can appear all black in harsh sunlight but the purple iridescence is visible on closer observation or under good light conditions. Females are olive above and yellowish below.
Region
South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula
Typical Environment
Common across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, parts of Myanmar and Thailand, and locally in the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in open woodlands, scrub, gardens, parks, and agricultural landscapes, including urban settings. The species frequents flowering trees and shrubs and also visits mangroves and dry thorn forests. It favors areas with year-round or seasonal floral resources and tolerates human disturbance well.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Purple sunbirds are agile nectar-feeders that can hover briefly like hummingbirds but more often perch to sip from flowers. Males show glossy, iridescent purple-black plumage in breeding season, while females are olive above and yellowish below, aiding camouflage at the nest. They readily adapt to gardens and urban areas and are important pollinators. Nests are delicate, pouch-like structures bound with spider silk and plant fibers and often hung from low branches or human structures.
The Purple Sunbird was captured at Champi, Lalitpur
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
fast and direct with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, joining small groups at abundant flowering trees. During breeding, males defend small nectar-rich territories and display to females. The nest is a small pendant pouch made of fibers and spider silk; the female builds it and both parents often feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a rapid, high-pitched series of twitters and warbles delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp metallic chips and thin tseet notes, repeated in short bursts.
