The Purple Sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus or Nectarinia asiatica, is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed most of the time.

Purple Sunbird is an abundant resident breeder across tropical southern Asia from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia. sub-Saharan tropical Africa. One to three eggs are laid in a suspended nest in a tree.

Purple Sunbirds are tiny, only 10cm long. They have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations to their nectar feeding.

The adult male is mainly glossy purple. The eclipse male has a yellow-grey upperparts and a yellow breast with a blue central streak extending to the belly. The female has yellow-grey upperparts and yellowish under parts, and a faint supercilium. The call is a humming zit zit.

This species is found in a variety of habitats with some trees, including forest and cultivation.

Reference

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6