Brown-throated Sunbird

Anthreptes malacensis

Family: Spiderhunters and Sunbirds · Status: Very common resident · Size: 14 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs throughout Southeast Asia.

Identification

Male has dark brown face, lighter brown throat, glossy dark green upperparts with iridescent purple shoulder patch, and yellow lower breast to vent. Female has brown upperparts and yellow underparts. Male differs from Ornate Sunbird male in brown throat, lacking iridescent blue-black on the breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers; from Ruby-cheeked Sunbird male in dark brown (not copper) ear-coverts and brown (not orange-rufous) throat. Female separated from other sunbirds by robust shape and broken broad pale yellow eyering.

Habitat

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

Behaviour

Forages singly or in pairs at all levels from canopy to low scrub; often chases other birds away from flowers.