New nectar source for Black-throated Sunbird  

Black-throated Sunbird taking nectar from Ipomoea indica.

Yesterday, 25^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Abutilon megapotamicum– called the Trailing Abutilon (native to South America). Nectar robbing technique used.
3. Canna– often called Canna Lily. Nectar robbing technique used.
4. Numerous Hibiscusspp. Nectar robbing technique used.
5. Euphorbiaspecies (very much like Euphorbia pulcherrima – Poinsettia). Conventional nectar feeding.
6. Callistemonspp. – commonly known as Bottlebrush. Conventional nectar feeding.
7. Poikilospermum suaveolens(family: Urticaceae) – seen feeding on the flowers (they eat the flowers to get to the nectar).
8. Lantana camara. Conventional nectar feeding.
9. Fuchsiaspp. Nectar robbing technique used.
10. Pyrostegia venusta– commonly known as Flamevine or Orange Trumpetvine (originally from Brazil). Nectar robbing technique used.
11. Thunbergia mysorensis– commonly called Lady’s Slipper Vine, Mysore Trumpet-vine or Indian Clock-vine (native to southern tropical India). Conventional nectar feeding.
12. Malvaviscus arboreus – resembles a partially closed hibiscus flower. Nectar robbing technique used.
13. Rhododendron malayanum. Nectar robbing technique used.
14. 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