The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerinebirdswhich feed largely on nectar, although they will also takeinsects,especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct ontheir shortwings.
The sunbirds find counterparts in two verydistantly related groups: the hummingbirds of the Americas and thehoneyeaters of Australia. The resemblances are due to convergentevolutiondue to the similar nectar-feeding lifestyle. Most sunbirdspecies cantake nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usuallyperch to feed.
The sunbirds are tropical species, withrepresentatives from Africa to Australasia;the greatest variety ofspecies is in Africa, where the group probablyarose. Most species aresedentary or short-distance seasonal migrants.
Like thehummingbirds, they are strongly sexually dimorphic, withthe malesusually brilliantly plumaged in metallic colours. Sunbirdshave longthin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues,bothadaptations to their nectar feeding. Up to three eggs are laid inapurse-shaped suspended nest.