Similar to Purple-throated, but larger; male lacks the purple throat, and female is mainly olive with distinctive reddish wings and tail.

Males of the Magnificent sunbird differ with its black belly and purplish tails while females are much darker.

Nest is bag shaped with roofed entrace made of roots, grass, plant fibers woven with spider webs.

Clutch size is typically 2 to 3 reddish brown eggs with brownish red spotting and scribbles.

[3] It is found in fruiting and flowering trees in primary, secondary and cultivated areas up to 1000 masl.