Home › Aves › Nectariniidae › Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)
Cinnyris
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Middle East southeast Asia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Scrub gardens urban parks
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Nectariniidae
GENUS
Cinnyris
📋 Description
SIZE
10-12 cm long 6-10 g
COLORATION
Males metallic purple females olive-green
ADAPTATIONS
Long curved bill for nectar feeding agile hovering
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Scrub gardens urban parks
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Middle East southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 2-3 eggs in hanging nests incubated 13-15 days
DIET DETAILS
Nectar insects spiders
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Pesticide use habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Nectar Sippers: Purple Sunbirds hover with 8-gram bodies drinking 5 grams of nectar daily in Haryana's gardens. Their metallic sheen dazzles.
2
Tiny Weavers: These sunbirds cover 2000 sq km in Tamil Nadu's parks weaving purse-like nests. Flower loss threatens their diet.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Sultanpur National Park in Haryana
Guindy National Park in Chennai Tamil Nadu
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Gardens ensure visibility for spotting sunbirds
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch purple sunbirds hovering near flowering bushes
