Brown-throated sunbird
The brown-throated sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), also known as the plain-throated sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in south-east Asia, ranging from Myanmar to the Lesser Sundas and west Philippines. The grey-throated sunbird found in the remaining part of the Philippines is often considered a subspecies of the brown-throated sunbird, but the two differ consistently in measurements and plumage, and there is no evidence of intergradation between them.[2]
| Brown-throated sunbird | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Nectariniidae |
| Genus: | Anthreptes |
| Species: | A. malacensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli, 1786) | |
Taxonomy
The following subspecies are recognised:[3]
- A. m. malacensis (Scopoli, 1786) – mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and satellite islands, most of Borneo aside from the north, Java and Bali
- A. m. anambae Oberholser, 1917 – Anambas Islands
- A. m. erixanthus Oberholser, 1932 – Natuna Islands
- A. m. bornensis Riley, 1920 – north Borneo
- A. m. mjobergi Bangs & Peters, JL, 1927 – Maratua
- A. m. paraguae Riley, 1920 – Palawan
- A. m. heliolusius Oberholser, 1923 – Mindanao
- A. m. wiglesworthi Hartert, 1902 – Sulu Archipelago
- A. m. iris Parkes, 1971 – Sibutu Islands
- A. m. chlorigaster Sharpe, 1877 – Western Visayas
- A. m. cagayanensis Mearns, 1905 – Mapun
- A. m. heliocalus Oberholser, 1923 – Sangihe and Siau
- A. m. celebensis Shelley, 1878 – Sulawesi and satellite islands
- A. m. extremus Mees, 1966 – Banggai and Sula
- A. m. convergens Rensch, 1929 – Lombok to Alor
- A. m. rubrigena Rensch, 1931 – Sumba
Description
The brown-throated sunbird is a relatively large, heavy sunbird with a thick bill. Measuring some 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length, it has a mass of 7.4–13.5 g (0.26–0.48 oz), with males averaging slightly larger than females.
Like most sunbirds, the male brown-throated sunbird is more colourful than the female. The male has iridescent green and purple upperparts with chestnut on the wing-coverts and scapulars; it is primarily yellow below. The female is olive-green above and yellowish below.
Behaviour
The brown-throated sunbird primarily feeds on nectar, but it will also take small fruits and berries. Juveniles are fed with insects.
Gallery
Male
Female
male A. m. heliocalus
adult A. m. heliocalus
male
adult A. m. heliocalus
adult A. m. heliocalus
Juvenile, female A. m. heliocalus
juvenile A. m. heliocalus
References
- BirdLife International (2016). "Anthreptes malacensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103792612A94542270. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103792612A94542270.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Cheke, R. A., & Mann, C. F. (2008). Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis). pp. 247 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. (2008). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 13. Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3
- "Dippers, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds – IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- Cheke, Robert A., Mann, Clive F., & Allen, Richard. (2001). Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sugarbirds of the World. Christopher Helm, London. pp. 184–186.