Male is iridescent green above and dark below, with a narrow purple band across the breast. Female is nondescript, with a pale eyebrow and faint streaking across the pale underparts. Found locally in dry thorn savanna. Similar to Purple-banded Sunbird, but the male is distinguished by the lack of a maroon band across the underparts. Also very similar to Violet-breasted Sunbird, but male has a narrower purple breast band and both sexes are slightly smaller and shorter-billed. Song is a typical sunbird high-pitched jumble; also gives “chek” calls.