Odd behaviour by Spectacled Spiderhunters

I have observed this behaviour by Spectacled Spiderhunters Arachnothera flavigaster a number of times; the latest this week. It is most often seen at a feeding sources, fruit or nectar tree, with many other spiderhunter species around.

On 25 June 2024, at least 7 spiderhunters were feeding on the fruit of the Macaranga bancana – 3 Spectacled Spiderhunters, 4 Yellow-eared Spiderhunters (Arachnothera chrysogenys) and 2 Grey-breasted Spiderhunters (Arachnothera modesta). Birds were coming and going so it is possible that numbers were higher.

The Spectacled Spiderhunters, as usual, were behaving very territorial over the fruiting source (competitive feeding) and frequently chased other spiderhunters and bulbul away. Twice I saw an adult Spectacled Spiderhunter behaving like a typical juvenile bird begging for food – alight on a branch, wings outspread, fluttering wings, with loud calls. No feeding of the bird occurred.

There are four possible reasons for this behaviour:

1. Food-begging by a juvenile or immature bird – but the birds look like adults to me.

2. Courtship – Wells (2007) reports similar behaviour seen before copulation, however I did not observe any mating. In the past I have observed the similar behaviour as part of the courtship of Brown-throated Sunbirds Anthreptes malacensis and Ornate Sunbird Cinnyris ornatus.

3. Mobbing of a presumed threat – but I did not see any predator or threat

4. Aggression towards other birds to protect food sources – I suspect this is the most likely reason.

The image below shows a bird using a branch to manipulate a Macaranga bancana fruit to feed on. First time I have observed a Spiderhunter doing this with a food source.  

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.

Amar-Singh HSS

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Cert Theology (Aust, Hons), MBBS (Mal), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Glasg), MSc Community Paediatrics (Ldn, dist), is a Consultant Paediatrician. He served the Malaysian civil service for more than 35 years, led regional Paediatric and Research departments, is an active child advocate and the recipient of a number of international awards. He has been a bird watcher for around 50 years, published two bird books, has a number of international bird publications, contributed to more than 20 international bird books/guides, and contributes to online bird image and audio databases. He is an active contributor to the Bird Ecology Study Group with a large number of detailed posts and write-ups on bird ecology. He is a life member of the Malaysian Nature Society, a member of the BCC-MNS Records Committee, a member of the Oriental Bird Club and supports eBird. He is interested in spending time getting to know bird behaviour and considers himself a bird-friend. Amar is based at Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

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