Hindi Name –
Species – Cinnyris Asiaticus
Origin – South and Southeast Asia but extending west into parts of the Arabian peninsula.
Size –
Breeding season – April to June
Family – The purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small bird in the sunbird family.
Description – This small sunbird has a relatively short bill, a dark and short square ended tail with distinctive sexual dimorphism. The male is glossy metallic bluish to purplish and females are olive brown above with a yellowish underside.
Breeding Season – The primary breeding season is before the Monsoons, April to June in northern India.
Diet – They feed mainly on nectar but also take fruits and insects.
Habitat – They are found in thin forest and garden land, including those in dense urban areas.
Key Features – They have a fast and direct flight and can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird but often perch at the base of flowers.