Sunbirds

Purple Sunbird

Cinnyris asiaticus

The purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small sunbird. Like other sunbirds they feed mainly on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. They have a fast and direct flight and can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird but often perch at the base of flowers.

Family

Sunbirds

Order

Passeriformes

Weight

8.1 g

Habitat

Shrubland

Diet

Fruit and nectar

Migration

Resident

Countries recorded

14

Recorded in India, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Iran, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Bhutan.

Where to see it: Fergusson College Campus (India); PK-Islamabad-Street 24 - Garden (Pakistan); Mushrif Palace Gardens (United Arab Emirates); Canara Bank Layout (India); F-7/4 (Pakistan).

Photo: (c) Surabhi Srivastava, some rights reserved (CC BY) via iNaturalist