Crimson sunbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crimson sunbird |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male | |
.jpg) |
|
| Female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aethopyga
|
| Species: |
siparaja
|
The crimson sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the sunbird family. These birds mostly eat nectar, which is the sweet liquid found in flowers. They also catch insects, especially when they are feeding their young ones. Crimson sunbirds fly very fast and straight using their short wings. Most sunbirds can hover in the air like a hummingbird to drink nectar, but they usually prefer to sit on a branch while feeding. This bird is the unofficial national bird of Singapore. The Nature Society Singapore declared it so.
What They Look Like
Crimson sunbirds are tiny birds, only about 11 cm (4.3 inches) long. They have medium-length, thin bills that curve downwards. Their tongues are shaped like brushes and are tubular. These features help them drink nectar from flowers.
The adult male has a bright crimson (deep red) chest and a maroon back. He also has black stripes on his cheeks. His rump (the lower part of his back) is yellow, and his belly is olive green.
The female looks different. She has an olive-green back and a yellowish chest. The tips of her outer tail feathers are white. In most places where they live, males have a long, green-blue tail. However, males from the Nicobar Islands (a group of islands) and a former group called A. vigorsii (Western crimson sunbird) do not have these long central tail feathers. Their call sounds like chee-cheewee.
Where They Live
The crimson sunbird lives in tropical southern Asia. You can find them in countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Brunei. They build their nests in trees, often hanging them from branches. The female usually lays two or three eggs. These birds live in forests and in areas where people grow crops.
Gallery
