Alternative name: Macklot's Sunbird
- Leptocoma calcostetha
Identification
12·2–13 cm (4¾-5 in)
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.
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
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 consists of nectar and insects for which they forage in the lower and middle storeys.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- naturia.per.sg
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
