sunbird

Various species of birds in the family Nectarinidae, order Passeriformes. They are inhabitants of tropical parts of the Old World, frequenting Africa, India, and northern Australia. They feed on nectar, and some species are responsible for pollinating certain species of banana. There are 116 species of sunbird, many of them (usually the male) vividly coloured, with irridescent feathers. Many have long beaks to enable them to extract nectar more effectively. Their New World counterparts are the hummingbirds.