Medium-sized sunbird with a deeply curved bill. Glossy purple male is larger and longer-billed than somewhat similar Purple Sunbird. Female, with her sharply demarcated white underparts and dark gray upperparts, is unmistakable. Found in both wooded habitats and more open areas, including around human habitation.
The purple sunbird is a small bird in the sunbird family found mainly in South and Southeast Asia but extending west into parts of the Arabian peninsula. Like other sunbirds they feed mainly on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young.