Crimson-backed Sunbird
Leptocoma minima
LCLeast Concern Endemic to India
- Family
- Spiderhunters and Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
- Order
- Passeriformes
Overview
The crimson-backed sunbird or small sunbird (Leptocoma minima) is a sunbird endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Like other sunbirds, they feed mainly on nectar although they take insects, especially to feed their young. They are tiny birds that are resident and are found in forests but are particularly attracted to gardens at the edge of the forest where people grow suitable flower-bearing plants. They usually perch while taking nectar.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
India (Western Ghats to hills of southern Kerala).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Crimson-backed sunbird
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.