Sunbirds have been building their nests on my bedroom balcony ceiling for 12 years . I think it’s because we have ginger flowers in the planter around the balcony. The first nest appeared soon after we planted the ginger flowers ( Heliconia sp.) .
We realized they build their nests from hanging plants and there is a corner of the balcony they favor so we put a money plant (Epipremnum sp.)there to entice them.
On 10 April 2022, the female started her building and the nest was completed around 20 April when I spotted her sitting inside the nest.
Not sure when the egg/s hatched as I can’t see inside the nest and don’t want to cause any disturbance. All the photographs and videos were taken behind glass with an iphone in Tanglin.
Olive-backed sunbirds are known to complete the nest building one week before they lay their eggs. The 2 week incubation period is followed by nestling care for 2-3 weeks before they fledge. Egg incubation in this bird couple could have begun on 28 April 2022.
Video 1 showing female parent bird removing faecal sac from a nestling. 19 May 2022.
Video 2 shows the female parent coaxing the hidden nestling to extrude a faecal sac and then flying off with it. 19 May 2022.
Jean Ho
Singapore
19 May 2022.
Leave a Reply