Little Spiderhunter – juvenile characteristics

YC Wee
on 21st February 2018

“Saw a pair of juvenile Little Spiderhunters (Arachnothera longirostra cinereicollis) still being fed by parents.

SpiderhunterL-jv [AmarSingh]

“Note the fully orange beak and feet which is different from what is described in literature. Wells 2007 describes the lower mandible in juveniles as ‘yellowish pink’ and the feet as ‘pale pinkish’. Other sources describe juveniles as ‘paler bill and feet’ (e.g. HBW 2018). A net search for images of juvenile Little Spiderhunter will reveal some with dark bills and feet and a few that show orange feet and bills as in the birds I saw today (some in transition), see examples: HERE and HERE.

“I suspect that the orange phase is in recently fledged birds which then progress to a darker upper mandible, followed by lower mandible and feet.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
16th January 2018

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth at city fringe

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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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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