Sunbirds, hummingbirds of the east?
Sunbirds and Hummingbirds are both colourful, small birds that mostly feed on nectar. Seem to have the same ecological roles. Similar, yet different.
I share a few things here, that I have learnt so far.
Hummingbirds : found in the Americas.
Sunbirds : mostly in Africa, Asia and Northern Australia.
White-necked Jacobin (hummingbird). Amazon rainforest, Peru, September 2022.
Hummingbirds : measuring 5 to 13 cm
Sunbirds : measuring 9 to 15 cm
Hummingbirds seem to enjoy a more prominent reputation worldwide. Many of us might mistake a small bird with a long bill flitting by for a hummingbird. I've often heard people mention seeing a hummingbird in their garden, but the truth is, we don’t have hummingbirds in India. We do have 13 species of sunbirds.
In comparison to hummingbirds, sunbirds may seem a lot slower. That said, I remember capturing my first clear shot of a crimson sunbird after having only glimpsed a flash of red a few times—it didn’t even register the first time! Of course size did play a role there. Hummingbirds of course move way way way faster. The Bee hummingbird, for instance, can flap its wings at an astonishing rate of upto 200 wingbeats per second. The faster speeds reserved for wooing the female. On an average its about 12 beats for larger hummingbirds and 80 for the smaller ones. To the naked eye, it’s all just a blur!
Also, sunbirds are generally larger than hummingbirds, who hold the title for the smallest birds in the world. In contrast, sunbirds are not even the smallest species in the Indian subcontinent; that distinction goes to the flowerpeckers, with the nilgiri flowerpecker measuring just 7.5-8 centimeters in length.
Nilgiri flowerpecker, Coorg, Aug. 2016. Smallest bird in India.
Hummingbirds and sunbirds share remarkable similarities in both behaviour and appearance, despite being distantly related and lacking common ancestors. In reality, they are more closely related to other bird species than they are to each other. This phenomenon, known as convergent evolution, highlights how these two groups have independently developed similar traits to adapt to comparable ecological niches.
Purple Sunbird in the eclipse plumage, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi, India, December, 2015.
Sunbird : longer tails and curved bills
Hummingbirds : shorter tails and slender, straight bills.
Once you start noticing sunbirds, you would easily be able to recognise them from their distinctive curved bills. This holds true for most birds; after observing a few individuals of a particular family in their natural habitat, you begin to notice their unique traits and behaviours. Even in a new country, if you spot a bird exhibiting familiar characteristics, you might not know the exact species, but you could certainly recognise the family—like thinking, “Oh, that’s a bee-eater!” or “That looks like a trogon.”
One of the most common sunbirds in India is the purple sunbird, quite common in human habitations. They may build nests in your gardens and balconies, often attached to twigs and wires. In Delhi, we regularly see them constructing nests in our balcony, with the females doing most of the work while both parents take turns feeding the young. They’ve become quite accustomed to humans, so if you maintain a respectful distance, you can observe the entire process—from nest building to the moment the young birds take flight. The key in birding is always space and patience, lots of it.
In their non-breeding plumage, male purple sunbirds, like the females, sport a rather drab olive-green and yellow appearance. However, come spring and summer, the male transforms, sporting a shiny purple metallic sheen. In the photograph above, you can see the male in his eclipse plumage, just before he transforms into his vibrant breeding form.
On one occasion, I was worried about one nest that was precariously situated on a small twig of a hanging plant. It was raining, and it felt like the weather was about to take a turn for the worst. Most of the people advised not to do anything and let the nature takes its course. Well the nest survived, this time.
Disclaimer: The photos shared above were taken from inside our home, from a location where we spent time without disturbing the birds or their nest. Also, the birds did not harm me or my family while building their nest and feeding their young.
Crimson sunbird, Jim Corbett, India, April 2015.
Sunbirds: Most sunbirds exhibit a direct flight pattern, occasionally gliding gracefully.
Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds are renowned for their remarkable ability to hover, which they accomplish by rapidly flapping their wings in a distinctive figure-eight motion.
I've always wanted to see hummingbirds, even before I got into birdwatching. Luckily, I had the chance to see my first hummingbird—Anna's hummingbird—during a visit to the U.S. in 2016. I went on a small birding hike in Shoreline at Mountain View, California.
As with most birds, light plays a crucial role in observation. A colorful bird can appear as nothing more than a black blot in dim lighting. Unfortunately, the lighting that day wasn’t ideal. However, hearing that characteristic hum and then spotting something hovering in mid-air was exhilarating. The speed at which hummingbirds flap their wings requires high shutter speeds for clear photos of them in air, which I couldn't manage due to the lack of sunlight. Nonetheless, the experience was unforgettable—though I imagine it might not be as thrilling for the locals who see them daily.
Ann’s Hummingbird, Mountain View, California, US, November, 2016.
Both are nectarivores and are important pollinators, but their geographic separation means they interact with different plant species and ecosystems. Hummingbirds have long, slender bills suited for accessing nectar from tubular flowers, often with vibrant colours that attract them. Sunbirds, share similar traits but have evolved to thrive in different plant species, often with a more varied diet that includes insects and fruits, specially when feeding young.
In fact, whenever the purple sunbirds nested on our balconies, we would often notice them carrying insects in their beaks as they moved methodically and patiently toward the nest, just before making the final dash. The cranky kids seemed hungry all the time!
Beautiful sunbird, Lake Baringo, Kenya, July 2015
Hummingbirds, typically have iridescent plumage, with colours ranging from metallic greens to fiery reds and blues. These striking colours are often dependant on the angle of illumination.
As an Ann's hummingbird moves its head (see the pictures above), you can observe the variations in colour—from a plain, simple appearance, the crown transforms as the iridescent hues shift and shimmer. I stood there waiting and saying “palat palat!” ……..aur kya palta woh!.
Striking colours on the Golden-Tailed Sapphire(see the picture below) below are something else.
Golden-tailed Sapphire (hummingbird), Manu National Park, Peru, September, 2022.
Sunbirds also have iridescent plumage with males often exhibiting more vivid hues. Of 151 sunbird species many have colourful names reflecting their gorgeous looks. Like the ruby-cheeked, the orange-breasted, the scarlet-chested or just Regal.
One striking example is the fire-tailed sunbird, distinguished by its beautiful long, bright red tail. This species primarily inhabits the Himalayas and has frequently been spotted near my hometown of Chandigarh. Never got lucky there. For my first sighting, I had to travel all the way to Arunachal Pradesh.
Fire-tailed sunbird, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India, June 2023.
Sunbirds : Need to be perch while feeding
Hummingbirds : Can feed while hovering.
Hummingbirds have evolved to feed while hovering, thanks to their rapid wingbeats and specialised shoulder joints. This ability enables them to remain suspended in the air and access nectar from flowers without needing to perch. Its quite a sight actually if you get to see a few hummingbirds around flowers in a garden.
Also, hummingbirds can fly backwards, a skill that is rare among birds.
Rufous-Crested Coquette (hummingbird), Amazon Rainforest, Peru, September, 2022.
In contrast, sunbirds typically feed while perched and have a more traditional flight style, which helps us understand their different feeding strategies and habitats. Sunbirds’ inability to hover means they need stable perches to access nectar, which influences the types of flowers they pollinate. As a result, sunbird-pollinated flowers often have sturdier structures. These could be open inflorescences, cluster flowers or larger blossoms that provide a reliable landing spot. I am no expert, but the leaves seem sturdier as well in these parts for sunbirds to perch on, while feeding, as in the second picture below.
That said, I’ve actually seen purple sunbirds hover, albeit very briefly! While sunbirds are capable of hovering when needed, their skills in this regard are nowhere near as advanced as those of hummingbirds.
Green-tailed sunbird, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India, June 2023.
Both sunbirds and hummingbirds are stunning in their own right. Sunbirds for us, of course, are readily accessible, and you can spot purple sunbirds almost anytime. However, it’s always exciting to encounter both familiar and new species in different habitats.
On the other hand, seeing hummingbirds requires a significant journey—to the other side of the globe. As a result, my sightings have been few and far between. They might be the smallest birds in the world; their family is surprisingly large, with over 360 species. I’m definitely looking forward to my next opportunity to observe these incredible birds!
All photographs have been clicked by Harmeet Basur