Scarlet-backed flowerpecker facts for kids
The scarlet-backed flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the flowerpecker family, known as Dicaeidae. These birds are special because the males and females look quite different. Males have bright red and navy blue feathers. Females are mostly olive green. You can find this bird in warm, wet forests and sometimes even in gardens. It lives in many countries across South and East Asia.
Quick facts for kids Scarlet-backed flowerpecker |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male in Singapore | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Dicaeidae |
| Genus: | Dicaeum |
| Species: |
D. cruentatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dicaeum cruentatum (Linnaeus, 1758)
|
|
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
About Its Name
The scarlet-backed flowerpecker got its scientific name, Dicaeum cruentatum, from a famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus in 1758. He first called it Certhia cruentata. The word cruentata comes from Latin and means "blood-stained." This name likely refers to the bright red color on the bird's back.
Scientists have studied the DNA of flowerpeckers. They found that the scarlet-backed flowerpecker is closely related to the black-fronted flowerpecker. Both of these birds have red feathers on their backs.
What It Looks Like
The scarlet-backed flowerpecker is a tiny bird. It is about 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) long. It weighs only 7 to 8 grams (about 0.25 to 0.28 ounces).
The male and female birds look different. This is called sexual dimorphism.
- The male has a dark blue face, wings, and tail. It has a bright red stripe that goes from its head all the way down its back.
- The female is mostly olive green. She has a black tail and bright red feathers on her lower back.
Both male and female birds have creamy white feathers on their bellies. They have black eyes and legs. Their beaks are dark gray and curved. Young birds look like the female. But they have an orange beak and do not have the bright red lower back yet.
Where It Lives
This bird lives in many countries in Asia. You can find it in places like Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. It is thought to be common in most of these areas. However, it is rare in Bhutan and Nepal.
The scarlet-backed flowerpecker lives in warm, wet forests. It can also be found in wooded areas and even gardens. It usually lives in places that are not higher than 1000 meters (3500 feet) above sea level.
What It Eats
The scarlet-backed flowerpecker eats fruits. It has been seen eating figs from certain trees in Singapore. It also visits trees in cities like Hong Kong to find food.
How It Makes a Home
The scarlet-backed flowerpecker builds a special nest. It is shaped like a pouch and hangs from a tree branch. The nest has an opening on the side. This type of nest is common for birds in the flowerpecker family.
Gallery
-
Male at Gosaba, Sundarban, West Bengal, India
-
Female scarlet-backed flowerpecker, seen in Bangkapi, Bangkok, Thailand
-
A male photographed in Singapore
-
Scarlet-backed flowerpecker
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
