Crimson Sunbird

Scientific Name: Aethopyga siparaja
Malay Name: Kelicap Merah Biasa
Chinese Name: 黄腰太阳鸟

Range:
Found from Indian subcontinent to southern China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: seheriae, labecula, owstoni, tonkinensis, mangini, insularis, cara, trangensis, siparaja, nicobarica, heliogona, natunae, flavostriata, beccarii.

Local Subspecies: siparaja

Size: 11-13.5 cm

Identification:
Male has red head, mantle and upper breast, iridescent dark blue crown and tail, dark malar streak and greyish belly. Female is the dullest sunbird in Singapore with dull olive-coloured upperparts and slightly yellower-tinged underparts.

Habitat: Forest, forest edge, mangroves, secondary growth, gardens and parks.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any suitable patch of habitat like Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh.

Featured articles:

• Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)

Male Crimson Sunbird at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Female Crimson Sunbird at Upper Peirce Reservoir

Crimson Sunbird at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Male Crimson Sunbird at Dairy Farm. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Crimson Sunbird at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Crimson Sunbird at Mandai Orchid Garden. Photo Credit: Francis Yap