The Crimson Sunbird, also known as Aethopyga siparaja, is an enchanting creature that captivates anyone who lays their eyes on it. Its stunning red feathers and melodious song are a reminder of the beauty and tranquility found in nature, allowing us to escape from the stresses of daily life.
The Yellow-backed Sunbird, also known as the Crimson Sunbird (scientific name Aethopyga siparaja), is a small bird commonly found in the tropical regions of southeastern Asia. Its natural habitat ranges from central India to Indonesia and the Philippines, where it can be spotted in forests and plantations. It is worth noting that this bird holds the distinction of being the national bird of Singapore.
There are various alternative English names for the bird species known as the Eastern Crimson Sunbird, including Yellow-backed Sunbird, Goulpourah Sunbird, Scarlet-throated Sunbird, and Scarlet-breasted Sunbird. Other languages also have unique names for this species, such as Spanish’s Nectarina de Lomo Amarillo and French’s Souimanga siparaja. The German language has two names for the bird: Scharlachnektarvogel and Karmesinnektarvogel. In Czech, the bird is known as strdimil karmínovoprsý, while in Danish it is called Karminsolfugl and in Finnish, it is referred to as karmiinimedestäjä. The Japanese name for the Eastern Crimson Sunbird is kigoshitaiyouchou, while Dutch speakers know it as Geelrug-honingzuiger. Norwegian has the same name as Danish, Karminsolfugl, while Polish calls it kwiatownik szkarlatny, and Slovak uses the name nektárovka siparaja. Finally, Swedish speakers refer to the bird as Scharlakansolfågel.
Types and Distribution: Aethopyga siparaja siparaja (Raffles, 1822) – the original type. It is found in various locations such as the Malay Peninsula (south of Narathiwat), Anamba Is (east of Peninsular Malaysia), Sumatra (except Aceh), Borneo and small surrounding islands (excluding Natunas).
The Aethopyga siparaja labecula species, also known as Horsfield’s sunbird, can be found in a wide range of areas such as Bhutan, northeastern India, and Bangladesh. It stretches south to the Chittagong Hills and further east to Myanmar, excluding the southern region. The birds can also be found in southern China, northwestern Laos, and northwestern Vietnam.
This passage describes the different ranges of Aethopyga siparaja subspecies. Aethopyga siparaja nicobarica is found in South Nicobar Island including Great and Little Nicobars, Kondal, and Meroe Islands. Aethopyga siparaja cara can be found in South Myanmar and Thailand. Meanwhile, Aethopyga siparaja owstoni is located in Naozhou Island in southwestern Guangdong, China. Lastly, Aethopyga siparaja mangini’s range extends to southeastern Thailand and central and south Indochina.
The Aethopyga siparaja insularis, discovered by Delacour and Jabouille in 1928, can only be found on Phu Quoc Island near southern Cambodia. On the other hand, the Aethopyga siparaja seheriae, identified by Tickell in 1833, inhabits the Himalayan foothills of India, ranging from W Himachal Pradesh (Kangra) to Sikkim and Bhutan, and south to northern West Bengal, eastern Bihar, eastern Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa (possibly northern Andhra Pradesh), as well as western Bangladesh.
The Crimson Sunbird is a small bird species, measuring approximately 11 cm or 4.3 inches long. Their bills are thin, down-curved, and of medium length, while their tongues are brush-tipped and tubular, which help them feed on nectar. The male Crimson Sunbird boasts bright colors, with a red throat, chest, and sides, as well as deep blue moustachial stripes. His back is maroon, while his rump is yellow, and his abdomen is yellowish-olive. Additionally, he has a bluish-green tail with white feather tips.
The majority of these birds possess a lengthy green-blue tail among the male population. However, the Aethopyga siparaja nicobarica subspecies located in the South Nicobar Island region, including the Great and Little Nicobars, Kondal, and Meroe Islands, does not have the same long central tail feathers. If we observe the mature female, she has an olive-green back, yellowish chest, and outer tail feathers with white tips.
EATING HABITS: Crimson Sunbirds have a preference for nectar as their primary food source, but they also consume insects when it comes to breeding season. This is to provide their young with necessary protein and to meet their own increased protein requirements during this crucial time. They tend to choose flowers that have high sugar levels and search for locations where high-energy nectar is abundant.
While hummingbirds can hover to drink nectar, Crimson Sunbirds prefer to perch while they sip. The males of this species establish feeding territories on shrubs and trees with flowers, and they fiercely protect their space. These sunbirds play an important role in pollinating many native and cultivated plants that rely on their heavy nectar consumption.
The majority of the flowers that have a tube-like shape do not allow bees or butterflies to feed on them, causing a lack of pollination for the plants. On a brighter note, you can enjoy the beautiful song of the Crimson Sunbird by watching a video captured by a bird guide, where the male bird is calling out to his female companion.