“A breathtaking brilliant Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) that has informally been proposed by Singaporean bird watchers as the national bird. A friendly bird and this male allowed close observation as it fed on the nectar of the Devil’s Backbone or Slipper Flower (Euphorbia tithymaloides/Pedilanthus tithymaloides).
“The iridescent forecrown has been noted in some literature as ‘dark green’ Robson (2002) and in others as ‘metallic green or violet’ Wells (2007). The majority I have seen locally have a brilliant blue-violet.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
16th February 2013
Location: Tambun Interior, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Fish farming, ex-mining pools, orchards, secondary growth