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Female Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow-bellied Sunbird

Cinnyris jugularis or Nectarinia jugularis

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25 Comments (1–25)

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

Agree Ashish. Only through discussions can we further our knowledge.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Yes... Eric. Every spotting has knowledge..!!
Specially for me.. who does not have scientific education in Biology after schools. But observations in Trekking and study through websites like Project Noah make me scientifically educated (some sort with such discussions)...!!

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

Thanks for the info guys

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Yes Latin... I am correcting..!!

Greek? - I think you mean Latin. Greek is like Russian, it has its own alphabet.
Since there is more than one taxonomic agency in the world there will always be some differences between them.
BTW there are several sub-species of this bird, so a third name is added, in this case 'jugularis' is repeated as the Philippine bird is the nominate species. The Malayan species, which I am more familiar with, is ornata.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Malcolm... you shared very well experienced info... Greek language used in Biological names may cause such changes..!!

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

Thanks Malcolm :-)

The Australians call it a Yellow-bellied Sunbird as it is the only one they have.
Nectarinia jugularis was the former name but it was chenged to Cinnyris jugularis around 10 years ago. I have not found the reason why yet.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Both Biological names are correct can use both separated with "or"

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

The wikilink mentions it being in the range of Southern Asia to Australia. It has even a mention of the Philippines where its local name is "Tamsi"

I'll check first, scientific names sometimes get changed after DNA testing or similar causes a reclassification.

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

Thanks again Ashish and Malcolm. Given the two scientific names (synonyms) which one should we put? Cinnyris or Nectarina? :-)

BTW, the Yellow-bellied Sunbird is a Madagascar endemic, far from the Philippines! Most of the Asian Sunbirds (and Spiderhunters) have yellow bellies.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Yes Malcolm its synonym you mentioned.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Thanks Malcolm for confirmation..!!

Nothing like the C-H bee-eater (colours are wrong), its a female Olive-backed Sunbird. The only two other similar females have shorter, straighter bills. My book (2002) gives the scientific name as Nectarinia jugularis.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Its female of Yellow-bellied Sunbird as per Wiki link.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Me too feel its Sunbird..!!

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

Thanks Ashish. But I think you got it as the Olive-backed Sunbird. I don't remember seeing other colors except the yellow and brown :-)

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

You can check that picture at actual size and check its match with Bee eater or Sunbird.
The Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater (Merops leschenaulti) also look alike this one..!!

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

I think you are right. Unfortunately couldn't zoom in any further since I didn't have the right lens at that time :-(

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

It can be female of following...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive-backe...
Need to check last picture with its tail shape that you can see on your computer.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Can be Yellow bellied sunbird.

Eric Noora
Eric Noora 12 years ago

Thanks Ashish. Will look into those leads :-)

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Look like a bee eater. But such bill also seen in Sun birds too.

Eric Noora
Spotted by
Eric Noora

Philippines

Spotted on Nov 28, 2010
Submitted on Aug 24, 2011

Spotted for Mission

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