“Went back to the fruiting Common Mahang (Macaranga bancana) (see HERE) to see more visitors. A number of spiderhunters present today feeding on the fruit are the Spectacled Spiderhunters (Arachnothera flavigaster) (above, below). Their longer bodies and beaks allow them … Continued
“Breeding season (February-September) for Spectacled Spiderhunters (Arachnothera flavigaster) was just about to end when a juvenile bird was spotted begging from a Malay Apple tree (Eugenia malaccensis). “Parenting birds were busy feeding themselves and warding off intruders. A juvenile bird … Continued
“Sunbursts of clustered, Chinese pink blooms of Malay Apples (Eugenia malaccensis) a.k.a. Jambu Merah\Jambu Bol is much to behold. They sprouted from branches, presented colourful profusions, lured insects and birds to be pollinated into edible fruits (above, below). “Foothill orchards … Continued
“I went in search of spiderhunters and saw three different species at the same location – Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra), Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster) and Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta). “They tend to come out to the fringe of the forest … Continued
“I was fortunate to watch the nesting behaviour of a pair of Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster). “It was 11.20am and I just left the forest reserve and decided to explore the fringe of the reserve where there is overgrown secondary … Continued
“An odd feeding behaviour I saw was by a juvenile/immature Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster). “In the past 5-6 weeks I have seen quite a number of juvenile/immature Spectacled Spiderhunters at fruiting trees. So was not surprised to see another. But … Continued
“An inexplicable encounter, where this Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster) allowed very close observations. “The above is a close up the face and shows the black eyelid-rims, dark brown iris and reddish base of lower mandible (Wells 2007). Note the broad … Continued
Based on observations made over 10 days between October 2009 and March 2012 in Perak and Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS has finally published his findings (above). Spiderhunters, as the name suggests, feed mainly on spiders. In … Continued
