Feeding behaviour of sunbirds

YC Wee
on 26th December 2011

An earlier post by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS documented four species of sunbirds feeding on the seeds of common mahang (Macaranga bancana) LINK.

In this post an adult female Red-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes rhodolaemus) was photographed swallowing the seeds of Macaranga bancanawa (above left). Similarly, the adult male Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis singalensis) can swallow the whole fruit (above right). Both species can also eat the seed piece meal.

A video of feeding images made as a composite showing a female Purple-naped Sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum nuchale) working the seed down her bill like spiderhunters do before swallowing it is shown below.

The above were documented at the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia on 29th November and 1st, 3rd and 5th December 2011.

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

Singapore Bird Society’s updated Bird Database is now available

22nd April 2025

From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group:Part 6. Bird Group played the religion card.

2nd March 2025

From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group.  Part 5. Looking and Studying Birds 

24th February 2025

From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group or BESG Part 4: Formation of BESG

14th February 2025

From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group.

31st January 2025

One Response

  1. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Purple-naped Sunbird– nectar feeding behaviour

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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