Loten's Sunbird
Cinnyris lotenius
A South Asian sunbird notable for its unusually long, strongly decurved bill and a male plumage of iridescent purple-green with a maroon chest band.
- Feather type
- Iridescent contour feathers with a long decurved bill
- Colours
- Metallic purple-green upperparts with a dark maroon breast band
- Bird size
- Small, ~13-14 cm
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Overview
Overview
Loten's Sunbird, also known as the Long-billed Sunbird, is found in India and Sri Lanka, where it frequents gardens, coastal scrub, and forest edges. It has one of the longest and most strongly curved bills among sunbirds, an adaptation for reaching deep into tubular flowers. Males show glossy purple and green iridescence with a dark maroon breast band.
- Family: sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
- Diet: nectar and small insects
- Range: peninsular India and Sri Lanka
Identifying the Feather
Feather Identification
- Head and upperparts: male feathers are glossy purple-green, shifting between hues depending on light angle.
- Breast: a dark maroon to blackish band crosses the upper chest, bordered above by the iridescent throat.
- Underparts: belly feathers are dusky grey to olive, less bright than the throat and chest.
- Bill: though not a feather, the notably long, strongly decurved bill is a key field mark supporting feather-based identification.
- Vs. similar species: the combination of a very long curved bill with a maroon chest band separates this species from shorter-billed South Asian sunbirds like the Purple Sunbird.
Plumage & Molt
Plumage Notes
Adult males show iridescent purple-green plumage with a maroon breast band year-round, with brightness peaking in fresh post-molt feathers. Females are olive-brown above and pale yellowish below, lacking iridescence. Some males show a partial eclipse-like duller phase outside breeding season in certain populations, though much regional variation exists.
Habitat & Range
Habitat & Range
Loten's Sunbird occupies gardens, coastal scrub, mangroves, and forest edges across peninsular India and Sri Lanka. It is generally resident, with local movements tied to the flowering of favored nectar plants.
Behavior & Field Notes
Behavior
This sunbird feeds on nectar using its long curved bill to access deep flowers, and also takes small insects and spiders. Nests are pouch-shaped structures woven from plant fibers and spider silk, typically suspended from low branches or eaves. The call is a sharp chip, and the song is a rapid, high-pitched warble delivered from an exposed perch.
Frequently asked questions
What is distinctive about Loten's Sunbird's bill?
It has one of the longest and most strongly decurved bills of any sunbird, adapted for reaching deep into tubular flowers.
What color is the male Loten's Sunbird's chest?
Males show a dark maroon to blackish breast band beneath an iridescent purple-green throat.
Where is this sunbird found?
It occurs in peninsular India and Sri Lanka, in gardens, coastal scrub, and forest edges.
How does it differ from the Purple Sunbird?
Loten's Sunbird has a notably longer, more strongly curved bill and a maroon rather than uniformly purple-black chest pattern.
Loten's Sunbird guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Loten's Sunbird.
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