Black-throated Sunbird taking nectar from Ipomoea indica.
Yesterday, 25th April 2022, at Cameron Highlands, I saw a female Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata wrayi) feeding on the nectar of Ipomoea indica (Ocean-blue Morning Glory, an exotic) using nectar robbing technique. The images are poor as the bird is often hidden behind the large petals.
Previous nectar sources I have seen/documented for this species include:
- Abutilon pictum– commonly known as Redvein Abutilon, Red Vein Indian Mallow, Redvein Flowering Maple or Red vein Chinese lanterns (native to South America). Nectar robbing technique used.
- Abutilon megapotamicum– called the Trailing Abutilon (native to South America). Nectar robbing technique used.
- Canna– often called Canna Lily. Nectar robbing technique used.
- Numerous Hibiscusspp. Nectar robbing technique used.
- Euphorbiaspecies (very much like Euphorbia pulcherrima – Poinsettia). Conventional nectar feeding.
- Callistemonspp. – commonly known as Bottlebrush. Conventional nectar feeding.
- Poikilospermum suaveolens(family: Urticaceae) – seen feeding on the flowers (they eat the flowers to get to the nectar).
- Lantana camara. Conventional nectar feeding.
- Fuchsiaspp. Nectar robbing technique used.
- Pyrostegia venusta– commonly known as Flamevine or Orange Trumpetvine (originally from Brazil). Nectar robbing technique used.
- Thunbergia mysorensis– commonly called Lady’s Slipper Vine, Mysore Trumpet-vine or Indian Clock-vine (native to southern tropical India). Conventional nectar feeding.
- Malvaviscus arboreus – resembles a partially closed hibiscus flower. Nectar robbing technique used.
- Rhododendron malayanum. Nectar robbing technique used.
- Buttonbush – a flowering plant is in the family Rubiaceaecloser to the Cephalanthus occidentalis.
There are many other wildflowers where I am not able to ID the plant.
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS – Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
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