Purple Sunbirds are mostly resident (non-migratory) and are distributed from sub-Saharan tropical Africa, the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula through the Indian sub-continent and into Southeast Asia.
Short-distance / local movements (particularly in the drier areas of northwestern India and Pakistan) and altitudinal migration pattern have been noted in some parts of their range - most likely as they follow the flowering seasons of their favorite feeding flowers.
The adult breeding male has a plumage that may appear all black (particular in low light) or dark metallic blue or purplish-black - depending on the light conditions. The wings are dark brown. During courtship displays, breeding males will flash their yellow pectoral tufts ("arm pits"), which are otherwise hidden. They have bright blue shoulder patches and an iridescent maroon collar around the neck.
Purple Sunbirds mostly feed on nectar - occasionally hovering in front of the flowers like a hummingbird, but generally, they prefer to perch in front of them to retrieve the nectar.
Some native plant species - such as Butea monosperma, Acacia, Woodfordia and Dendrophthoe - are dependent on them for pollination and would not be able to exist without the "services" inadvertently rendered by these birds. In the process of feeding, flowers benefit from cross-pollination as the head becomes covered with pollen and spreads from flower to flower. As these birds move to the next flower, the pollen is deposited on the next flower, which is then able to produce seeds and fruit.