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.

Male Crimson Sunbird at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Crimson Sunbird at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Female Crimson Sunbird at Upper Peirce Reservoir
Crimson Sunbird at Mandai Orchid Garden. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Male Crimson Sunbird at Dairy Farm. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Crimson Sunbird)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Aethopyga siparaja. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103804411A94566535.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

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.). Crimson Sunbird. Retrieved on May 13, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/crimson-sunbird.

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