The flowers of Poikilospermum suaveolens are a particular favourite of Purple-naped Sunbirds (Hypogramma hypogrammicum nuchale) and they are territorial about them. I observed a number of Purple-naped Sunbirds coming to feed on the flowers of a Poikilospermum suaveolens and they chased away other birds, especially the Plain Sunbirds (Anthreptes simplex).
I have presumed that they eat the flowers, like many bird species, to get to the nectar; insects visiting the flowers are not eaten. They seem to choose flowers carefully and only eat some in any inflorescence. The flower is plucked and then they tilt the head backwards to swallow it.
Two of the Purple-naped Sunbirds were immatures. One was male with metallic plumage at nape and tail developing but still retaining a gape. These birds were self-feeding. Two images of the immature male.
Bird I have personally observed feeding on the flowers of Poikilospermum suaveolens (eat the flowers to get to the nectar):
Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum nuchale
Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex
Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata wrayi
Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis
Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna musarum
Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides wrayi
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Garrulax mitratus
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma trigonostigma
Everett’s White-eye Zosterops everetti tahanensis
Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr) – Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Trail along primary jungle
Date: 23rd July 2020
Equipment: Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, handheld with Rode VideoMic Pro Plus Shotgun Microphone
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