“An immature Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta modesta) coming out from the forest to feed on the nectar of a flowering banana (below). Note that there is a weak suggestion of gape and that the feet are pink (juveniles) rather than orange (adults), see Wells (2007). But I must say that many birds I have seen, that I consider adult, have feet that are more pinkish than orange.
“The beak is like that of an adult with the upper mandible black and lower mandible pale brown – best seen below.
“Note also the black tips to the tails feathers (below).
“Of major interest is the pink eye ring seen in the close-up image below – this was a very confiding bird and I have numerous close-up images. I have not noticed this feature before but there are suggestions of it in a few of my older images. I wonder if this feature is left over from the juvenile state? Most guides and descriptions do not mention any eye ring or even state that ‘eye-rings are absent’.
“Appreciate any opinions from experience.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
26th September 2018
Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Fringe of primary jungle
Reference:
Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.
