The species is distributed widely from West Asia through the Indian subcontinent and into Southeast Asia. They are resident birds in most parts of their range and do not move large distances. Local movements are however noted especially in the drier parts of north western India and Pakistan where they are said to arrive in large numbers before summer. Distributed throughout India. Found in Gardens, groves, cultivated lands, scrub country side, forest, semi forests or light decidous forests. Commonly found in compounds, wooded parks etc.

Purple sunbird (Latham, 1790) is small sunbird has a relatively short bill, a dark and short square ended tail with distinctive sexual dimorphism. Less than 10 cm long they have a down-curve bill with brush-tipped tubular tongues that aid in nectar feeding. The male is glossy metallic purplish black on the upper parts with the wings appearing dark brown. The breeding male has the underparts also of the same purplish black, but non-breeding males may show a central streak of black on yellow underparts. They have a fast and direct flight and can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird but often perch at the base of flowers.

The primary breeding season is before the Monsoons, April to June in northern India and January to June in Sri Lanka. The nest is usually suspended from a low branch, often of thorny plants but is sometimes build close to human habitations, attached to wires or other man-made objects and even indoors in an unused toilet. Only the female incubates the eggs which hatch after 15 to 17 days. Males assist in feeding the chicks although females involve themselves to a greater extent, making more trips as the chicks get older The nest is a pouch made of cobwebs, thin strips of vegetation, lichens and bark.

Their call is Chewit-cheewit-cheewit as song from male. Sharp wich-wich.

Sunbirds have been known to live for nearly 22 years in captivity. Important pollinators of some plant species such as Butea monosperma, Acacia, Woodfordia and Dendrophthoe. Important pollinators of some plant species such as Butea monosperma, Acacia, Woodfordia and Dendrophthoe.