Brown-throated Sunbird

Phuket, Thailand

The brown-throated sunbird is a common resident across Souh-east Asia  from Myanmar to the western Philippines, thriving in hot, humid conditions.

Habitat

It is found close to sea level in rainforest, mangroves, gardens and parks.

Feeding

Brown-throated sunbirds feed mainly on nectar and insects but will also eat berries and small fruits.  Rather than hover, they prefer to perch to feed on nectar in order to save energy.

Breeding (throughout the year)

Brown-throated sunbirds are monogamous for the duration of a breeding season. Males establish territory using their vivid plumage to attract a mate. Females  build the dome-shaped nests made out of dry plants supportrd by spider webs and positioned  in low bushes one or two metres from the ground.  One to three eggs are incubated by the female while the male guards the territory including the neaby supply of nectar. Both parents feed the young on a diet of insects and nectar.

Wildfile Specials

• In addition to long, thin beaks, brown-throated sunbirds have tubular tongues specially adapted to feeding from the flowering plants of South-east Asia.
• Brown-throated sunbirs have fine serrations on their beaks that enable them to grip insects.
• Brown-throated sunbirds have very fast metabolisms so spend most of their time searching for food.
• As nectar is an important part of their diet, sunbirds play a key role as pollinators.
• Brown-throated sunbirds are documented piercing the skins of grapes and other soft, thin-skinned  fruit and sucking out the juices, rendering then inedible.