Alternative name: Kuhl's Sunbird
- Aethopyga eximia
Identification
11.5-13 cm.
- Iridiscent green crown with some blue tones
- Bright olive nape, side of neck, back and upperwing-coverts
- Yellow lower back and rump
- Iridiscent blue-green uppertail-coverts
- Dark brown long graduated tail, central rectrices partly iridiscent blue-green
- Dark brown remiges, edged olive
- Red throat and breast, narrow purple band across throat
- Olive-green side of breast
- Smoky brown belly, becoming more olive to vent
- White pectoral tufts, long flank feathers and underwing-coverts
Females have dull olive upperparts, are greyer on head, dark olive-green underparts with grey on throat, white underwing-coverts, pectoral tufts and flanks. Their tail is much shorter than the one of the male.
Juveniles are similar to females but more brownish, especially on underparts.
Distribution
Endemic to the mountains of Java, Indonesia.
Common in suitable habitat in its small range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Has been placed in the genus Urodrepanis together with Fork-tailed Sunbird.
Habitat
Moist montanes, forest edge, clearings and alpine scrub above tree-line.
Occurs from 1200-3000 m.
Behaviour
Diet
Presumably feeds on nectar and small arthropods.
Forages in lower and middle storey singly, in pairs or in small groups. Often seen around flowering trees, vines and mistletoes.
Breeding
Breeding recorded in January, March to June and November and December. The nest is a pouch made of moss and other material. It's suspended high up in a tree.
Movements
Presumably a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-flanked Sunbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-flanked_Sunbird
