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The Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds (Chalcoparia singalensis singalensis) are common at the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. These birds offer many opportunities for Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSSto watch their feeding behaviour, especially their search for cobwebs and the spiders that are associated with them.
They will also explore all leaves that are stuck together or ‘deformed looking’ for larvae/pupae.
“They occasionally flutter in mid air to aid access to prey,” recounts Amar. The composite image above shoes the male Ruby-cheeked Sunbird coming across some matted leaves, dug in with its bill, tried various access points, then started tearing segments of the leave to gain access. Finally the bird got its prize.
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