Purple-throated Sunbird sipping Morinda elliptica flower nectar

YC Wee
on 23rd September 2014

“Saw this Purple-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma sperata brasiliana) with a mate (no pictures, more shy) at close range but in full sun (have yet to take good pictures in glaring sunlight).

“Extensive, close views of it feeding on the nectar of this small tree (top, above). I think it is the Morinda elliptica (Black Morinda or Mengkudu daun kecil) (below).

“It did not pierce the base of the flower but obtained the nectar by direct insertion of beak into flower.

“Very fast moving, flitting from flower to flower, making a loud call frequently while feeding to keep in contact with mate.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
24th April 2010

Location: Fringe of Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Red Data: Least Concern globally but bordering on near threatened in the Peninsular Malaysia (Dr Wells 2007).

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-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

Singapore Nature: 14. Accolades

6th July 2023

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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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