About the Loten's Sunbird
Loten's sunbird, also known as the long-billed sunbird or maroon-breasted sunbird, is a sunbird endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Named after Joan Gideon Loten, who was the Dutch governor of colonial Ceylon, it is very similar to the purple sunbird that is found in the same areas and also tends to hover at flowers for nectar, but can be distinguished by the longer bill, the maroon band on the breast and brownish wings. Like other sunbirds, it is also insectivorous and builds characteristic hanging nests.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sunbirds and Spiderhunters (Nectariniidae) |
| Species | Cinnyris lotenius |
| Species Codes | lobsun2, LOSU |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Loten's Sunbird belong to?
The Loten's Sunbird (Cinnyris lotenius) belongs to the Sunbirds and Spiderhunters family (Nectariniidae), in the order Passeriformes.
How can I identify the Loten's Sunbird?
Loten's sunbird, also known as the long-billed sunbird or maroon-breasted sunbird, is a sunbird endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Named after Joan Gideon Loten, who was the Dutch governor of colonial Ceylon, it is very similar to the purple sunbird that is found in the same areas and also t...
Where can I report a Loten's Sunbird sighting?
You can log sightings of Loten's Sunbird on eBird (ebird.org) using species code lobsun2, or on iNaturalist.