A highly attractive little bird who unleashes his secret weapon of apricot-colored feathers (usually concealed beneath the wings) and an iridescent blue throat right when he needs it most, the Olive-backed Sunbird!
Meet the Olive-backed Sunbird
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.png)
The olive-backed sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis), also known as the yellow-bellied sunbird is small in size, only around 12 cm long. The male of the species has a bright yellow belly and a back that is dark brown in color. His forehead, throat, and upper breast are dark, metallic blue. He also has apricot-colored feathers, which are usually not visible, except when using them for display as a secret weapon to attract females. Otherwise, they remain concealed beneath his wings.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146951_382_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)
This female, like the male, has the same bright yellow belly, and brown back.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146952_551_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)
Though she lacks the more colorful plumage he has.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Olive-backed-Sunbird-Nature039s-Miniature-Gem-Enthralling-with-its-Iridescent.jpg)
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1695437106_979_The-Olive-backed-Sunbird-Nature039s-Miniature-Gem-Enthralling-with-its-Iridescent.jpg)
These birds are mainly found in south-east Asia and Australia, from southern China, through the Philippines and Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia, and into Indonesia and north-east Australia.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146953_465_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)
Olive-backed sunbirds were originally found in mangroves swamps, however, they seem to have adjusted to human-inhabited areas. Now being found in woodlands, orchards, coconut plantations, and even towns and villages.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146953_817_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)
An omnivorous bird, their diet consists of both nectar and invertebrates. Nectar is obtained from flowering plants like Coconut and Papaya. They like to hunt spiders, ants, and caterpillars.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146954_466_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)
Olive-backed sunbirds breed from December through to July. During this time the females build a pear-shaped nest with a small side entrance, on their own. This nest is constructed from grass stems and other fibrous material. She lays 1-3 pale green eggs with brown blotches. She incubates them for 11 days until they hatch whereupon the chicks are fed by both parents until they are fledged after 15-16 days.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146954_319_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)
The population of Olive-backed sunbirds is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence of any declines or substantial threats.
![](https://baomoira.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1686146954_21_A-Sublime-Combination-Of-Metallic-Blue-And-Yellow-Is-Unbelievably.jpg)