Purple-rumped Sunbird

About

The Purple-rumped Sunbird is a small, brightly colored passerine bird found in the Indian subcontinent. Males are particularly striking with iridescent plumage, while females are duller. They are highly active, feeding primarily on nectar, and are a common sight in gardens and cultivated areas.

Size & lifespan

Length

9-11 cm

Wingspan

12-14 cm

Weight

5-9 g

Lifespan

2-5 years in the wild

Diet

Nectarivore (primarily nectar, also small insects and spiders)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult male: Glossy metallic green crown, mantle, and throat. A broad maroon breast band separates the green throat from the yellow belly. The rump is iridescent purple, giving the bird its name. Wings and tail are dark brown to black. Adult female: Olive-brown upperparts, yellowish-white underparts, with a faint yellowish supercilium. No iridescent plumage. Juvenile: Similar to female but duller, with a more mottled appearance on the underparts.

Beak shape

Long, slender, decurved (downward-curved) black bill, adapted for probing flowers.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Dark grey to black

Distinguishing features

Male's iridescent purple rump and maroon breast band are key. Female's plain olive-brown upperparts and yellowish underparts with a pale supercilium. The long, curved bill is characteristic of sunbirds.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally duller, with less distinct markings and often a more yellowish wash on the underparts. Young males gradually acquire iridescent plumage.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes; plumage remains consistent year-round for adults.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced. Males are brightly colored and iridescent, while females are duller and cryptically colored.

How to identify

1. 1

   Male Plumage

   Look for the iridescent metallic green head and back, the distinct maroon breast band, the bright yellow belly, and most importantly, the iridescent purple rump. These features are unique among sunbirds in its range.

2. 2

   Female Plumage

   Identify by its plain olive-brown upperparts, yellowish-white underparts, and a subtle pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe). The lack of iridescent plumage distinguishes it from males.

3. 3

   Bill Shape

   Observe the long, slender, and distinctly decurved black bill, characteristic of nectar-feeding sunbirds.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Watch for its active, darting movements, often hovering briefly at flowers or perching to feed. Its rapid, high-pitched song is also a good clue.

5. 5

   Habitat

   They are commonly found in gardens, parks, and areas with flowering plants, making them relatively easy to spot in human-modified landscapes.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, dry forests, scrublands, gardens, plantations, and urban parks.

Geographic range

Indian subcontinent, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and parts of Myanmar.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet).

Preferred environments

Highly adaptable, preferring areas with abundant flowering plants, including cultivated gardens, orchards, plantations (e.g., coffee, tea), and open woodlands. They are common in human-modified landscapes.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Primarily feeds on nectar, hovering briefly or perching to probe flowers with its long bill and tubular tongue. Also consumes small insects and spiders, especially when feeding young, often gleaning them from foliage or catching them in flight.

Social behavior

Typically seen singly or in pairs. May gather in small groups at abundant flowering sources. Generally not highly social outside of breeding pairs.

Flight pattern

Fast, direct, and often darting flight, characterized by rapid wing beats. Can hover like hummingbirds when feeding on nectar.

Migration pattern

Resident throughout its range, undertaking only local movements in response to flowering seasons or food availability.

Territoriality

Males can be territorial, especially during the breeding season, defending feeding patches and nesting sites from rivals and other sunbirds.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, but generally throughout the year with peaks during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods (e.g., February-May and August-November in parts of India).

Nesting habits

Nests are typically purse-shaped or pear-shaped, suspended from a thin branch or twig, often in a bush or small tree. Constructed by the female using fine fibers, cobwebs, moss, lichens, and insect cocoons, often decorated with bits of bark or leaves. The entrance is a small hole on the side.

Clutch size

2 eggs

Egg description

Typically 2 eggs, oval-shaped, whitish or pale greenish-white, often speckled or blotched with reddish-brown or grey, particularly at the broader end.

Incubation period

13-15 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

17-19 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.

Parental care

Both parents participate in feeding the young, though the female does most of the incubation and initial brooding. Males aggressively defend the nest area.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look for flowering plants. Sunbirds are highly attracted to nectar sources. Focus your search on areas with blooming flowers, especially those with tubular shapes.
2. Listen for their song. Their rapid, high-pitched song is distinctive and often given from a prominent perch, helping to locate them even before seeing them.
3. Observe active feeding. Watch for small, fast-moving birds hovering or perching at flowers. They are very active feeders.
4. Be patient and still. While active, they can be skittish. Find a good vantage point near flowering plants and remain still; they will often approach.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Nectar, small insects, spiders

Habitat:

Gardens, parks, open woodlands, scrub

Status:

Least Concern

Size:

Small (9-11 cm)

Sexual Dimorphism:

Strong (males iridescent, females duller)

Fun facts

• The Purple-rumped Sunbird is one of the most common and widespread sunbirds in the Indian subcontinent, often seen even in bustling urban areas.
• Like hummingbirds, sunbirds can hover in front of flowers, but they more frequently perch to feed, especially on larger flowers.
• Their long, tubular tongue is specially adapted to extract nectar from deep within flowers.
• The iridescent colors of the male's plumage are structural, meaning they are produced by the microscopic structure of the feathers reflecting light, rather than by pigments.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Nectariniidae

Genus

Leptocoma

Species

Leptocoma zeylonica

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