Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Cinnyris ornatus
Family: Spiderhunters and Sunbirds · Status: Very common resident · Size: 11.5 cm · Conservation: Not Evaluated
Occurs from southern China to the Greater Sundas and the Nusa Tenggara Islands in Indonesia.
Male has plain olive-green upperparts, iridescent blue-black forehead, throat, and breast, and yellow belly and vent. Female has olive upperparts and bright yellow underparts. Female separated from other sunbirds by obvious down-curved bill, bright yellow underparts, and extensive white on tail. Brown-throated Sunbird has broken pale yellow eye ring.
Gardens, parks, mangroves, secondary growth, and other wooded areas.
Forages at low levels, hover-gleaning for insects and taking nectar from flowers; forages singly, in pairs, and in small groups.