Sunbirds

Click on any of the smaller photographs below, to enlarge the image and see the caption.

Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica) - Male is dark blue and has yellow pectoral tufts in breeding plumage. They feed on nectar and insects. (1,2)
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male - Shiny greenish-blue crown and shoulder, with a purple rump. He also has a yellow breast and stomach. Feeds on nectar and invertebrates. (1,2)
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - This male is in eclipse (non-breeding stage). This is the largest sunbird in Sri Lanka and has the longest curved bill as well. Feeds on nectar with a liking for hibiscus. (1)
Pair of Purple-rumped Sunbirds (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Female & Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male - Tamarind Hotel near Galle. (1,2)
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male - Tamarind Hotel. (1,2)
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male - Tamarind Hotel.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male - His purple rump is obvious in this shot.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male - Ulagalla Resort, Tirappane, North Central Province.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Showing a brilliant blue sheen.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - About to pierce the side of a flower to reach the nectar inside.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Successfully pierces the side of a flower to reach the nectar.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - In profile.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Hovering near a flower.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Drinking nectar while hovering and showing yellow pectoral tufts.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Hovering and showing blue sheen of feathers.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Perched and ready to pierce a flower for its nectar.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - As it hovers we can see the primary feathers.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male, showing yellow pectoral tufts.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male - Collecting nectar the easy way.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Female - Roosting under a porch at Vil Uyana, after a rain-shower, near Sigiriya.
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica) - Male is dark blue.
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica) - Male is dark blue.
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica) - Male is dark blue.
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica) - Male is dark blue.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica) Male.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male attempting to pierce base of flower to reach the nectar.
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male successfully piercing base of flower to reach the nectar.

The photographs below are on a slider. Use the thumbnail images or arrows ↔ to move right or left.

Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica)
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Pair of Purple-rumped Sunbirds (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Female & Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Female
 
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica)
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Pair of Purple-rumped Sunbirds (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Female & Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male.
Long-billed Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia) Male
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica zeylonica) Female
previous arrow
next arrow

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Bird References
1. Harrison J. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011.
2. Henry G.M. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Colombo: Oxford University Press; 1998.