Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
Order: PASSERIFORMES
Family: NECTARINIIDAE Sunbirds, Spiderhunters
Scientific name: Aethopyga siparaja
English name: Crimson Sunbird
Characteristic: Size 11 cm. Difference between sexes is quite pronounced in this little gaudy sunbird. A male bird is more colorful in having glossy green forehead; dark crimson neck, breast, back and wing bases; brown wing tips; light brown belly; distinctly marked at rump with bright yellow patch. Also it possesses an elongated central tail feathers. A female bird is olive-green on the back and much lighter belly; also its tail is shorter than that of the male.
Distribution: India, the Nicobars, Southern China, the Sundas, Sulawesi, the Philippines and SE Asia.
Habitat: Dry evergreen forest, dipterocarp forest, secondary growth and orchards.
Habit: Observed usually singly on flowering bushes and trees. While sucking nectar from a flower, it can hover for quite a long time. Diet consists of insects, spiders and nectar. Breeding time falls between January-February, when a female will lay a clutch of 2-3 eggs.
Status: An uncommon resident.
