SUN BIRD NEST AT MY RESIDENCE GARDEN (16TH SEP 2012)
This nest was hanging at my eye level in my residence garden jasmine climber Bangalore, India.
A shiny, black sunbird catered to its young ones in this nest. It hung from a delicate twig.
I was surprised by the birds’ choice of such an open place, The birds’ music was part of the feel of the place – happy, comfortable, caring.
About Bird
Scientific Name Nectarinia asiatica
Common Name Purple sunbird
Local Name Shakarkhora
Bill Slender and curved bill for sucking the nectar from flowers. Tongue is tubular.
Feeding Flower nectar, insects, spiders etc.
Nest Oblong pendulous pouch of soft grass, cotton etc. Suspended from a bush.
Nesting season is generally from march to may.
Nesting season is generally from march to may.
Egg 2-3. Greyish or greenish in color with white marks and shades of brown and grey
Call Chewit-cheewit-cheewit as song from male. Sharp wich-wich.
The Olive-backed Sunbird, Cinnyris jugularis, also known as the Yellow-bellied Sunbird, is a species of sunbird found from Southern Asia to Australia.
The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Their flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering, but usually perch to feed most of the time.
Breeding: Sunbirds form monogamous pairs. The Olive-backed Sunbirds breed in April-August. They build a hanging flask-shaped nest with an overhanging porch at the entrance, and a trail of hanging material at the bottom end. Materials used include plant fibres, mosses, spider's web. The nest is lined with soft fluffy seeds (e.g., kapok, lallang grass seeds). The outside of the nest is often untidy and decorated with lichens, dead leaves and seed cases. They usually nest low in bushes and trees, but also close to humans and even in high-rise buildings! 2 greenish-blue eggs with dark brown spots and lines are laid. Males usually don't help in incubation, but may help out in raising the young.
Status and threats: Olive-backed Sunbirds are not at risk. Highly adaptable, they are the most common Sunbird in Singapore and are found almost everywhere except the deepest forest. Originally from from mangroves, they have spread to forest margins and secondary growths, to cultivated areas (parks, gardens) and even urban area
