Female Purple-rumped Sunbirds can be readily distinguished from their male counterparts by the presence of yellow throats.
The Purple-rumped Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a relatively small bird with a square-ended tail that exhibits sexual dimorphism. It measures only 10 cm in length and features a bill that curves downward, equipped with a brush-tipped tongue for nectar feeding.
The male displays glossy metallic bluish to purple plumage with black on the upper parts, while the wings are dark brown. During the breeding season, the male’s under parts also turn purple to black, which can someᴛι̇ɱes cause confusion with the Lotens Sunbird. Additionally, the male may exhibit yellow pectoral tufts during the breeding season.
In contrast, female birds have olive-brown plumage on their upper bodies and a yellowish breast that fades to off-white on the belly. Their outer tail feathers are tipped in white, similar to the males. Females also possess a pale supercilium extending beyond the eye.
Juvenile birds resemble female individuals, although the males develop black feathers as they mature.
These birds can be found in various regions of South and Southeast Asia, and they also extend into the western parts of the Arabι̇an Peninsula. They inhabit thin forests, garden lands, and even dense urban areas.
Purple-rumped Sunbirds frequently appear in pairs, feeding on nectar. However, they occasionally consume insects and small berries as well.
During the breeding season, the male engages in a courtship display, involving raising his head, fanning his tail, fluttering his partly open wings to expose his pectoral tufts, and singing to attract the female. Subsequently, the female constructs a nest resembling a pouch, crafted from cobwebs, thin vegetation strips, lichen, and bark.
Typically, the nest is suspended from a low branch, often of thorny plants. The male may occasionally assist in nest construction. After the nest is completed, the female lays two eggs, which she incubates for approximately 15 to 17 days. Once the eggs hatch, the male joins the female in feeding the offspring.
The IUCN Red List categorizes this bird as of Least Concern.