Olive-backed Sunbird

Adult males have a metallic dark blue-green head and upper chest patch, bright yellow underparts, and an olive-brown back. Females and juveniles lack the iridescent blue-green patches, having entirely olive-green upperparts and yellow underparts with a pale eyebrow stripe.

Small size, down-curved bill, olive-brown back, bright yellow underparts, and active, restless behavior.

Length: 10-12 cm, Wingspan: approx. 14-16 cm, Weight: 7-9 g

High-pitched, metallic chipping calls and a rapid, squeaky, twittering song.

Primarily nectar, supplemented with small spiders and insects, especially when feeding nestlings.

Open country, mangroves, cultivated lands, forest edges, and urban gardens with abundant flowering plants.

Non-migratory resident throughout its tropical and subtropical range.

Constructs a pendant, purse-like hanging nest made of fine grass, leaves, and spider webs, suspended from a branch. Clutch size is typically 2 eggs, incubated by the female.

Other sunbird species in overlapping ranges, distinguished primarily by the extent of metallic coloration on the male and the yellowish underparts of females and juveniles.

Acts as an important pollinator for various flowering plants and trees within its range, playing a key role in forest and garden ecosystems.

Least Concern, with a stable population trend.

Look and listen for them in gardens, parks, and forest edges where flowering shrubs and trees are present; their active movements and sharp calls often give them away.

Like hummingbirds in the Americas, sunbirds can hover in front of flowers to feed on nectar, though they usually prefer to perch when possible.