BK Lim’s image of a Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) taking nectar from a snakeweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis) was taken in Penang Hill, Malaysia in January 2009.
This attractive herb comes from Tropical America, a close relative to the common snakeweed (S. indica), also introduced from the same region but now a common weed of the wayside. The plant is easily propagated by seeds and a bed will provide flowers throughout the year. It needs full sun though.
Reference:
Ng, F. S. P., 2006. Tropical horticulture and gardening. Kuala Lumpur: Clearwater Publication. 361 pp.
This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
Bird Ecology Study Group » Hummingbirds harvesting nectar
[…] Stachytarpheta mutabilis, an introduced ornamental from Tropical America. Here, the flowers attract sunbirds. Another species we have, also from the same continent, is S. indica or snakeweed, a weed of open […]
snakeweed
[…] Bird Ecology Study Group Crimson Sunbird taking nectar from …… taking nectar from a snakeweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis) was taken … Another species we have, […]