Brown-throated Sunbird

Brown-throated Sunbird

Scientific Name: Anthreptes malacensis

Malay Name: Kelicap Mayang Kelapa

Chinese Name: 褐喉食蜜鸟

Alternative Name(s): Plain-throated Sunbird

Range: Found throughout Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: malacensis, anambae, erixanthus, bornensis, mjobergi, paraguae, heliolusius, wiglesworthi, iris, chlorigaster, cagayanensis, heliocalus, celebensis, extremus, convergens, rubrigena.

Local Subspecies: malacensis

Size: 14 cm

Identification: Male has dull brownish head-sides and throat, glossy dark green upperparts with iridescent purple shoulder patch and yellow lower breast to vent. Female can be separated from other sunbirds by combination of robust shape, relatively straight bill and broken broad pale yellow eyering.

Similar looking species: Van Hasselt's Sunbird, Copper-throated Sunbird, Ornate Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird

Habitat: Parks, gardens, secondary growth, mangroves, forest and forest edge.

Behaviour/Ecology: Frequents trees as well as low scrubs.

Local Status: Very common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any patch of suitable habitat like Singapore Botanic Gardens, Satay by the Bay, Chinese/Japanese Gardens, Central Forest and Sungei Buloh.

Male Brown-throated Sunbird at Pulau Ubin. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Male Brown-throated Sunbird at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Male Brown-throated Sunbird at Pulau Ubin. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Female Brown-throated Sunbird. Photo Credit: Zahidi Hamid
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Brown-throated Sunbird)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Anthreptes malacensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103792612A94542270.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Brown-throated Sunbird. Retrieved on December 19, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/brown-throated-sunbird.

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