Grey-hooded sunbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey-hooded sunbird |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aethopyga
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| Species: |
primigenia
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| Synonyms | |
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Aethopyga primigenius (lapsus) |
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The grey-hooded sunbird (Aethopyga primigenia) is a small, colorful bird that lives in the Philippines. It belongs to the Nectariniidae family, which are often called sunbirds because they drink nectar from flowers. This bird is special because it is endemic to the Philippines, meaning it's found nowhere else in the world. It makes its home in tropical forests high up in the mountains.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Grey-hooded Sunbird is a small bird. It has a gray "hood" that covers its head and chest. Its back and wings are a lovely olive-green color. The upper part of its belly is white, while the lower belly and sides are yellow. Its tail has white tips.
Male Grey-hooded Sunbirds have a bright green forehead and green patches on their cheeks. Some males from the northeast part of Mindanao island even have an extra yellow stripe down their upper chest. This bird looks a bit like the Apo and Tboli Sunbirds, but you can tell the Grey-hooded Sunbird apart by its white upper belly. When it sings, it makes a quick series of high-pitched "whip!" sounds.
Different Types of Grey-hooded Sunbirds
Just like people can have different looks depending on where they live, some animals have different types called subspecies. There are two main types of Grey-hooded Sunbirds:
- Aethopyga primigenia primigenia: This type is found in the western, central, and southern parts of Mindanao island. It has a plainer chest.
- Aethopyga primigenia diuatae: This type lives in the northeast part of Mindanao. It looks a bit grayer overall and has a white streak with a yellow spot on its chest.
Where Do They Live?
The Grey-hooded Sunbird lives in tropical forests that are high up in the mountains. You can find them in moist montane forests and along the edges of these forests. They usually live at altitudes above 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) but can sometimes be found as high as 1,700 meters (about 5,600 feet). They are often seen near banana flowers, probably enjoying the nectar!
How Are They Doing?
In 2020, experts decided that the Grey-hooded Sunbird is a least-concern species. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. Before that, they were considered "near threatened." Even though they don't live in many places, they are quite common in the areas where they do live. Scientists think there might be between 20,000 and 49,999 adult birds.
A big reason why these birds are doing well is that they live in rugged, hard-to-reach mountains. This has helped keep much of their forest home safe. However, they still face some challenges. Their habitat can be lost because of deforestation (when forests are cut down), mining, and land conversion (when land is changed for other uses). Slash-and-burn farming also affects their homes, though not as much as it affects forests in lower areas.
To help protect these birds, people have suggested creating protected areas for their homes. They also want to regularly check on important places like Mount Hamiguitan to make sure the birds are safe.
