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Brown-throated Sunbird – nesting

on 28th June 2016

“Brown-throated Sunbirds (Anthreptes malacensis malacensis) are very common in urban environments but spotting a nest has always been a bit of a challenge. I recently observed 3 nests and want to share some observations. I think the reasons the nest is less commonly observed include:

SunbirdBrTh-nest [AmarSingh] 1

“1. They build a smaller, more compact nest with hardly any ‘tail’ (above, note adult inside and swarming ants on branch). Unlike the Brown-throated Sunbirds, the Olive-backed Sunbirds (Cinnyris jugularis) nests are frequently seen as they tend to be larger, look more ‘messy’ with elongated tails.

SunbirdBrTh-nest [AmarSingh] 2

“2. Secondly the Brown-throated Sunbirds tend to build nest quite high up (above, overview on nest). Wells 2007 states that the mean nest height is 7 meters (range 2-13 meters). This first nest I am sharing is 4.5 meters up. The nests tend to be on the uppermost, outer branches of the tree.

SunbirdBrTh-nest [AmarSingh] 3

“3. They also tend to ‘hide’ the nest in an overhanging clump of leaves and it can be easily missed from some directions. Note that the nest is also anchored to some of the young stems of the compound (pinnate) leaves (above). Note that the entrance hole and classical sloping eave built to protect it. The image below shows a rear view of the nest.

SunbirdBrTh-nest [AmarSingh]

“4. Finally they tend to choose trees colonised by the Oecophylla smaragdina ants (Weaver Ant, tailor Ant, Kerengga). Wells 2007 states that in one sample 24 out of 25 nests were in such trees. Although these ants do occur in urban environments most house owners would eradicate them as the bites are painful. So I suspect the birds tend to nest on the fringe of neighbourhoods where tress are less cared for rather than in actual home gardens. What the relationship between the birds and the ants is uncertain. The ants offer some degree of protection from predators and do not seem to harm the sunbird young (Wells 2007).

“5. Only trees with leaves sufficiently large enough to be used by the Weaver Ants are the ones that will be used by the Sunbird for their nests (not aware of name of this tree).”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
15 & 18th May 2016

Location: Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban environment

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

One Response

  1. Dear Amar,

    This is EK.
    Thank you for the above detailed information. It is very useful and beneficial for my current observations of a pair of Brown-throated Sunbirds on the top of canopy where the nest is about 23m tall and very well concealed, full of ants etc, but yet to identify the tree. Nesting started 31 July 2022 and today is Day 4.
    I also noticed that the Male will visit the nest in the early morning and towards the late evening, in between, its the Female that seems to be collecting the nesting material and building the nest. Also, whenever the Female is near or at the nest, the Male will vocalize loudly.
    Nidification is progressing positively and the nest is beginning to look like those pictures that you have taken.

    Regards,
    EK

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