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Red-throated Sunbird – female plumage

on 22nd December 2019
Image 1. Female Red-throated Sunbird.

“The Macaranga bancana fruits will almost always attract the near threatened (Red Data Status) Red-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes rhodolaemus). Apart from this fruit I have seen them feed on the nectar of a number of a Mistletoe species. Having watched on nesting recently, young are also brought animal prey.

Image 2. Female Red-throated Sunbird.

“Images 1-4 are of females. I have images of the more wary male but would like to focus on the female plumage:

Image 3. Female Red-throated Sunbird.

1. The female is said by a number of sources (Helm Identification Guide on Sunbirds 2001 & HBW 2019) to have an eye-ring but, having seen quite number, they are better described as eyelid-rims; the lower eye-lid rim being much large then the upper (see Image 2). Wells (2007) also states eyelid-rims.

Image 4. Female Red-throated Sunbird.

2. Another feature not mentioned in the female is the throat which is tinged orange (see Image 3). This can only been seen in good light and is present in some of the OBI images.

Image 5. Another female Red-throated Sunbird.

3. A third feature is the “speckled effect’ (see Wells 2007) on the cap and even the mantel (not mentioned).

Image 6. Another female Red-throated Sunbird.

“The Macaranga bancana fruits twice a year and attracts a large number of bird species. I have seen more than 25 species visit this tree. I had an opportunity to watch a large number of birds feeding today including a number of sunbirds. Birds will actively and competitively search for fruit from early in the morning (before 7am) until that days’ supply is exhausted by frantic feeding (usually by 9am). Macaranga bancana is the opiate of the birds.

Image 7. The shy male Red-throated Sunbird.

“The Sunbirds and Spiderhunters that I have observed feeding on the Macaranga bancana fruit include:
1. Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum
2. Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex
3. Red-throated Sunbird Anthreptes rhodolaemus
4. Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis
5. Brown-throated (Plain-throated) Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis
6. Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera modesta
7. Yellow-eared Spiderhunter Arachnothera chrysogenys
8. Spectacled Spiderhunter Arachnothera flavigaster
9. Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra

Image 8. The shy male Red-throated Sunbird.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
12th December 2019

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Broken trail in primary jungle

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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