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Cinnyris jugularis
Also known as the olive-backed sunbird, this is a female yellow-bellied sunbird (formerly Nectarinia jugularis). A male at this location can be seen here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/715... The species is common across southern China to the Philippines and Malaysia down to northeast Australia. They are small songbirds, at most 12 cm long. In most subspecies, the underparts of both male and female are bright yellow, the backs are a dull brown colour. The forehead, throat and upper breast of the adult male is a dark, metallic blue-black.Originally from mangrove habitat, the yellow-breasted sunbird has adapted well to humans, and is now common even in fairly densely populated areas, even forming their nests in human dwellings.
Located in a semi-urban environment of houses, yards and gardens near a disturbed patch of remnant lowland forest.
Not the best photos, but I so rarely see birds in my yard here (only about 10 species in 4 years!) that I really appreciate their visits. (Unlike the US where I would often see 50 -70 more species in my yard during a year). However the sunbirds appear less and less now. I'm guessing the general lack of birds is due to feral cats, and kids (and adults!) with catapults and air rifles. I think invasive aggressive sparrows add something else to do with the sunbirds' scarcity.
2 Comments
nice set here, but not that easy to convince other fellow to appreciate life in avian rather than shooting them.
Beautiful!