About the Purple Sunbird
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.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sunbirds and Spiderhunters (Nectariniidae) |
| Species | Cinnyris asiaticus |
| Species Codes | pursun4, PUSU |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Purple Sunbird belong to?
The Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) belongs to the Sunbirds and Spiderhunters family (Nectariniidae), in the order Passeriformes.
How can I identify the Purple Sunbird?
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, espe...
Where can I report a Purple Sunbird sighting?
You can log sightings of Purple Sunbird on eBird (ebird.org) using species code pursun4, or on iNaturalist.
Related Species in Sunbirds and Spiderhunters 151 species
More Birds in Order Passeriformes
Quick Stats
Spotted a Purple Sunbird?
Log your sighting on eBird or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier!