Purple sunbird

Kranti Flamingo Point, Bhigwan, Maharashtra

The purple sunbird is a very common species found across the country. The male has dark, glossy blue plumage and a pointed, curved beak, enabling it to collect nectar from flowers. The most interesting aspect of this bird is that the male has three distinctive plumages. The breeding plumage is dark, glossy purple with a pinkish throat band. The eclipse plumage is the transitional phase between the breeding and non-breeding plumages. Lastly, the non-breeding plumage, as seen in this picture, is much simpler in appearance.