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A close look at the Brown-throated Sunbird

on 7th October 2017

1 Brown-throated Sunbird-8a-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“A common yet delightful bird that can become quite confiding is the Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis malacensis). Some comments on plumage of the male. I am using Wells 2007 and Cheke & Mann 2017 in Handbook of the Birds of the World as references.

2 Brown-throated Sunbird-4a-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“First the head, mantel and back: Wells 2007 describes the head, neck and mantel as ‘shinny metallic gree’ with ‘metallic viole’ back. Cheke & Mann 2017 say ‘oily metallic purple-green above, with purple or violet back’.

3 Brown-throated Sunbird-2aa-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“The 3 images above together with the one below show the head, neck, mantel and back in various lighting and postures. The whole area can look metallic green in some light/posture (top) but can also look metallic blue (3 other images). The colour depends on posture and how the light strikes the feathers.

4 Brown-throated Sunbird-13a-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“The lesser-coverts are always bright metallic blue and the median coverts tawny chestnut (Wells 2007) 

Brown-throated Sunbird-14a-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“One feature that is hard to spot is the pectoral tufts. Unlike the Olive-backed Sunbird where the pectoral tufts are orange and spotted occasionally, the Brown-throated Sunbird had bright yellow tufts that blend-in with the yellow of the breast. The above shows them nicely extended.

Brown-throated Sunbird-9aa-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“The images above and below also show nicely the ‘brown’ throat which is bordered by metallic strips. Cheke & Mann 2017 states ‘chin and throat pale pinkish-brown with lateral border of metallic purple’ and Wells 2007 ‘throat dull liver’\ ‘malar-streak of metallic violet that turns metallic green… at base of neck’. I have always found the throat to be more pink-red than brown. The malar-streak actually has two brighter sections – near the bill and when it reaches the base of the neck; in between it is duller. But the whole strip can look dull in certain postures/lighting.”

Brown-throated Sunbird-1aa-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

“The face-patch is important as it helps differentiate from the Red-throated Sunbird (Wells 2007). Cheke & Mann 2017 describe it as ‘side of head olive-green to greenish-brown’, while Wells 2007 says ‘whole face … ear-coverts … bronzy moss green’. The image below offers a close up of the face and I find Wells description very apt. Notice also how, in this view, much of the malar-steak is dull.”

Brown-throated Sunbird-10a-Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-3rd October 2017

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
3rd October 2017

Location: Ipoh, 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.

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