Little spiderhunter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little spiderhunter |
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| A. l. longirostra (Sabah, Borneo) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Arachnothera
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| Species: |
longirostra
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The little spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra) is a small, colorful bird. It has a long beak and loves to drink nectar from flowers, just like a hummingbird! These birds live in the wet forests of South and Southeast Asia.
Unlike many other birds, male and female little spiderhunters look very much alike. You usually see them alone or in pairs. They often make a quick tzeck sound. You'll most likely find them near blooming plants where they find their favorite food: nectar.
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What Does It Look Like?
The little spiderhunter is easy to spot because of its unique long, curved beak. This beak helps it reach deep into flowers for nectar. Males and females look quite similar. However, the female's lower beak is a bit lighter at the base. The male's entire beak is black.
These birds are often found near their favorite nectar-filled trees. This includes wild banana plants or flowers in gardens. When they are disturbed or looking for food, they make a buzzing zick-zick call. They also have a song that sounds like many fast chipping notes. This song can go on for a long time!
About Its Name
The scientific name for this bird is Arachnothera longirostra. The first part, Arachnothera, means "spider hunter." The second part, longirostra, means "long beak." This name perfectly describes the bird!
Scientists recognize about thirteen different types, or "races," of the little spiderhunter. These different types are found in various parts of the world. For example, the main type, longirostra, lives in places like India, the Himalayas, Thailand, and China. Other types live on different islands or regions.
Where Do They Live?
You can find the little spiderhunter in many countries. These include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In India, they live in certain areas that are separated from each other. They are also found in the northeast part of India, which connects to Southeast Asia.
Their natural homes are warm, wet forests. This includes lowland forests, mangrove forests near the coast, and mountain forests. They usually stay below the tops of the trees. You can also find them in gardens, especially if there are lots of nectar-producing flowers.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
Little spiderhunters are very important for plants. They help pollinate wild banana species and ginger plants. Pollination is when birds or insects carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds. They also visit plants like Loranthus, Bombax malabaricum, and Erythrina indica for nectar.
These birds are often seen in plantations within forest areas. They seem to be okay with people being around. However, they have disappeared from some small forest areas. For example, they are no longer found in the botanical garden in Singapore.
The breeding season for these birds changes depending on where they live. In northeastern India, they breed from March to September. In southern India, it's from December to August. Usually, a female lays two eggs.
Their nest is a small, neat cup. It is attached to the underside of a large leaf, like a banana leaf. They use a special method to build their nests. They use about 150 "pop-rivets" made of spiderwebs and plant fibers. This unique way of using spider silk helps them hang their nest securely!
Sometimes, other birds, like the Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo and the violet cuckoo, lay their eggs in the little spiderhunter's nest. This means the spiderhunter ends up raising the cuckoo chicks. This is called "brood parasitism."
In Culture
In Sarawak, which is part of Malaysia, some local people like the Kayan and Kenyah consider the little spiderhunter a good luck bird. When men go out to collect camphor (a substance used in medicines and perfumes), they wait until they hear the sit call of this spiderhunter. They believe it brings good fortune.
