Brown-throated Sunbird – nectar feeding

YC Wee
on 2nd March 2022

Above is an adult male Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis malacensis)  feeding on the nectar of the Callistemon species (Bottlebrush) in our garden. A common nectar source.

Above is also a male Brown-throated Sunbird feeding on Scurrula ferruginea (Rusty-leaf Mistletoe) nectar. This again, is a common nectar source. I am not certain if the Brown-throated Sunbird has a definite eclipse plumage phase (a plumage phase between one breeding season to the other). I have seen birds in this stage of plumage occasionally and they are all self-feeding and behave as I expect adult to (calls, aggressiveness, etc). This could be a juvenile moulting into an adult male plumage if no eclipse plumage phase exists for this species.

Cheke and Mann (2001) and Wells (2007) do not mention an eclipse plumage phase.

  1. Cheke, R.A. and Mann, C.F. (2001) Sunbirds; a guide to the sunbirds, flowerpeckers, spiderhunters and sugarbirds of the world. Christopher Helm, London.
  2. Wells, D.R. (2007) The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 2 (Passerines). Christopher Helm, London.

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr) – Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Habitat: Urban environment

Date: 12th and 28th May 2020

Equipment: Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED

 

 

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

Good Stories Movement

14th September 2024

From watching birdwatchers to watching birds

20th July 2024

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

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