Crimson Sunbird hovering to harvest nectar
Posted by BESG on 3 March 10, Wednesday
Contributed by Harprit Singh
Sunbirds often perch on a nearby branch while inserting its long bill into a flower to harvest nectar. Sometimes, the base of the flower is pierced, in which case the bird is termed a nectar thief, as it does not assist in pollination in the process.
A third method of harvesting nectar is hovering, often associated with hummingbirds. Hovering is flight without horizontal or vertical movement and it involves extra energy on the part of the bird. Hovering becomes necessary when there is no convenient perch nearby. The sunbird may also hover when searching for insects. Although not well known, many species of sunbirds hover when foraging.
Harprit Singh’s image of a Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) hovering while trying to harvest nectar is more common than most birdwatchers are aware of. The plant looks like the water canna (Thalia sp.).
This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
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Categories: Feeding-plants, Sunbirds
Comment by Lee Chiu San
Made Wednesday, 3 of March , 2010 at 12:51 am
The plant is Thalia dealbata, a more recent introduction to Singapore horticulture than the other Thalia species, such as Thalia genticulata, which have been planted here for a longer time.
Thalia dealbata is easy to grow and is very attractive to sunbirds. They visit the plants in my garden ponds all the time.
Just stick a cutting into an empty orchid pot, prop it up with some rocks, and leave it in a pond or urn. It will survive, and it will do better if there is lots of fish waste or other fertilizer. Trouble is, Thalia can get somewhat unkempt. And being attractive to sunbirds, it also attracts insect pests.
If you keep fish and frogs, as I do, you cannot use insecticides and have to cut off the affected parts manually.
Comment by Eileen
Made Saturday, 6 of March , 2010 at 6:52 am
Cool capture of the sunbird hovering.
Comment by alvin chong
Made Saturday, 6 of March , 2010 at 9:52 am
great picture of the bird hovering
lovely colours
