Copper-throated Sunbird

Photo by Neil
Singapore, April 2005

Alternative name: Macklot's Sunbird

Leptocoma calcostetha

Identification

14cm
Male

• Metallic green upperparts
• Coppery throat
• Coppery upper breast
• Deep purple lower breast and belly
• Green cap
• Black tail
  

Female

• Dark olive upperparts
• Grey head and throat
• Greenish-yellow breast and belly
• Grey under tail coverts
• White-tipped black tail
  

Juvenile: similar to the female but has a brown tail

Distribution

Mangroves and scrub of South East Asia, Palawan and Greater Sundas.

Female
Photo by kampang
Singapore, January 2008

Taxonomy

Several Sunbirds (including this one) of the genus Nectarinia have recently been moved into the genus Leptocoma.

This is a monotypic species^[1].

Habitat

Coastal mangrove, coconut groves and forest edges.

Behaviour

Breeding

Monogamous.

The pear shaped nest is built by the female from twigs and leaves, often placed in a mangrove tree and facing water. The eggs are pale brown, marked at the larger end. Both sexes care for the young.

Diet

The diet includes nectar and insects.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. naturia.per.sg

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Copper-throated Sunbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 February 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Copper-throated_Sunbird

External Links

Search for photos of Copper-throated Sunbird in the gallery