Sunbirds harvesting nectar from Lumnitzera

YC Wee
on 16th April 2009

“Another quick observation. At Pulau Ubin’s mangroves near the sensory trail, I found a small Lumnitzera littorea in bloom. The deep red of the flowers stood out clearly against the succulent green background and probably helped to draw a number of sunbirds to the tree. Species sighted included: Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis), Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) and Purple-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma sperata). This female (brown-throated I think) (above) spent about a minute probing in the blooms before heading deeper into the mangroves while other sunbirds arrived to take their turn at a sip.”

Marcus Ng
The Annotated Budak
13th April 2009

Note: Lumnitzera littorea is known as teruntum merah in Malay. This is a small tree with bright red flowers (=merah) usually found towards the landward side of mangroves. This is a rather rare mangrove plant in Singapore

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and do not represent nor are they endorsed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (LKCNHM, NUS) or any of NUS’s affiliates or subsidiaries. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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One Response

  1. The female sunbird in the photo looks like a Copper- throated Sunbird, based on colouration, features and structure. This is a true mangrove species and the area mentioned has 1-2 pairs that occur.

    Reply

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