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Crimson Sunbird stealing nectar from flowers

on 11th August 2009

Mike Koh a.k.a. astro08 photographed a Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja), a male juvenile in the process of moulting into his adult plumage, collecting nectar in an unconventional way. The bird is actually stealing nectar, puncturing the sepals when the flower is still in the bud stage. The flowers look very like those of the tapioca plant, also known as manihot (Manihot esculenta).

An earlier moulting stage of this sunbird can be seen HERE.

Image by Mike Koh.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. 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.

Other posts by YC Wee

5 Responses

  1. i am very much in touch with hummingbirds in NW USA. these birds very easily and regularly feed on nectar prepared wit 4 parts water and one part sugar. these nectar feeders are hung from a backyard tree branches. do the sun birds in asian coutries do the same. has anyone tried this method. thanks.

  2. I am not aware of any Asian homes with nectar feeders, let alone bird feeders. But I did come across a blog that experimented with a feeder that attracted sunbirds. It was made of artificial flowers, each connected by a piece of drinking straw to a central supply of sugar solution. The account is somewhere in cyberspace. Would love to have the link again though.

  3. Thanks Tabib. I remember now. It was you who sent me the link. Unfortunately I did not manage to get permission then to post it.

  4. Hi YC,
    Thanks for your visit and a Thank You to you too, Tabib.
    You can also see a HD Video clip on our sunbirds drinking from another DIY feeder shot in slow motion..
    It is here at http://www.youtube.com/donaldghtan
    We have managed to get 2 nectar feeders for the Sunbirds and seed feeders for the Doves. All 4 feeders are in full operation and the birds kept coming back everyday.
    Cheers and Regards
    Donald G. H Tan

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