Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Aethopyga siparaja
Family: Spiderhunters and Sunbirds · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 11–13.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Occurs from the Indian subcontinent to southern China and Southeast Asia excluding the Philippines.
Male has red head with dark malar stripe and iridescent dark blue crown, red mantle and upper breast, brown-yellow wings, and blue tail, and grey belly. Female has dull olive upperparts and slightly yellower underparts. Female Van Hasselt's Sunbird has slightly duller upperparts, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird has orange-rufous throat, Copper-throated Sunbird has greyer head, female Brown-throated Sunbird has broken yellow eyering and is larger, female Ornate Sunbird has brighter underparts and white outer tail.
Forest, forest edge, mangroves, secondary growth, gardens, and parks.
Forages in pairs and singly, usually low but occasionally reaching the canopy; robs nectar by piercing flower bases.