Male                                                         Female

Purple-rumped sunbirds (Linnaeus) are small birds which is less than 10 cm long. Purple-rumped sunbirds are sexually dimorphic .Medium-length thin down-curved bills, brush-tipped tubular tongues are characteristic of the bird. The males have a dark maroon upperside with a blue-green crown that glistens in some angles; bright green shoulder patch and violet/purple rump patch which is generally hidden. The underparts are whitish with dark throat, maroon breast band and purple/violet patch in the throat which is visible in some angles. The iris is generally reddish in color. The female has a white throat followed by yellowish breast. The upperside is olive or brownish. The uppertail coverts are black and a weak supercilium is visible.

Purple-rumped sunbirds species is found in a variety of habitats with trees, including scrub and cultivation and is usually absent from dense forest.

Breeding seasons is through the year but mainly during the monsoons. The nest is made up of fine plant fibres, cobwebs and it is placed on the end of branch and the entrance usually faces a bush. The female stays in the nest at night a couple of day before laying the eggs. The clutch consists of two eggs which are generally oval, pale greenish and white with spots and streaks, becoming more dense at the broad end. Sometimes, eggs may be plain grey without markings as well. The eggs are incubated by both the male and female. The incubation period varies from 14 to 16 days. The chicks fledge in about 17 days and continue to be fed by the male for a few days.

It is commonly observed feeding on bright-colored flowers, dew-bathing, or bathing by sliding in drops of rain collected on large leaves. In the process of feeding, flowers, such as Bruguiera, Woodfordia, Hamelia and Sterculia, benefit from cross-pollination as their heads become covered with pollen. As they move to the next flower, the pollen is deposited on the next flower, which is then able to produce seeds and fruit.