Brown-throated Sunbird
Anthreptes malacensis
The brown-throated sunbird, also known as the plain-throated sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in south-east Asia, ranging from Myanmar to the Lesser Sundas and west Philippines.
The brown-throated sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), also known as the plain-throated sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in south-east Asia, ranging from Myanmar to the Lesser Sundas and west Philippines. The grey-throated sunbird found in the remaining part of the Philippines is often considered a subspecies of the brown-throated sunbird, but the two differ consistently in measurements and plumage, and there is no evidence of intergradation between them.
Taxonomy
The following subspecies are recognised:
A. m. malacensis (Scopoli, 1786) – mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and satellite islands, most of Borneo aside from the north, Java and Bali
A. m. anambae Oberholser, 1917 – Anambas Islands
A. m. erixanthus Oberholser, 1932 – Natuna Islands
A. m. bornensis Riley, 1920 – north Borneo
A. m. mjobergi Bangs & Peters, JL, 1927 – Maratua
A. m. paraguae Riley, 1920 – Palawan
A. m. heliolusius Oberholser, 1923 – Mindanao
A. m. wiglesworthi Hartert, 1902 – Sulu Archipelago
A. m. iris Parkes, 1971 – Sibutu Islands
A. m. chlorigaster Sharpe, 1877 – Western Visayas
A. m. cagayanensis Mearns, 1905 – Mapun
A. m. heliocalus Oberholser, 1923 – Sangihe and Siau
A. m. celebensis Shelley, 1878 – Sulawesi and satellite islands
A. m. extremus Mees, 1966 – Banggai and Sula
A. m. convergens Rensch, 1929 – Lombok to Alor
A. m. rubrigena Rensch, 1931 – Sumba
Description
The brown-throated sunbird is a relatively large, heavy sunbird with a thick bill. Measuring some 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length, it has a mass of 7.4–13.5 g (0.26–0.48 oz), with males averaging slightly larger than females.
Like most sunbirds, the male brown-throated sunbird is more colourful than the female. The male has iridescent green and purple upperparts with chestnut on the wing-coverts and scapulars; it is primarily yellow below. The female is olive-green above and yellowish below.
Behaviour
The brown-throated sunbird primarily feeds on nectar, but it will also take small fruits and berries. Juveniles are fed with insects.
Text adapted from Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Anthreptes
- Conservation status
- Least concern
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Anthreptes malacensis (Brown-throated Sunbird) endangered?
- The IUCN Red List places Anthreptes malacensis, commonly known as the Brown-throated Sunbird, in the «Least concern» category. «Least concern» means it is not currently threatened.
- What family does Anthreptes malacensis (Brown-throated Sunbird) belong to?
- Anthreptes malacensis (Brown-throated Sunbird) belongs to the family Nectariniidae, in the order Passeriformes.
- What colour is Anthreptes malacensis (Brown-throated Sunbird)?
- The plumage of Anthreptes malacensis (Brown-throated Sunbird) combines these colours: Brown and Yellow.
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