| Brown-throated sunbird | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Nectariniidae |
| Genus: | Anthreptes |
| Species: | A. malacensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli, 1786) | |
The brown-throated sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), also known as the plain-throated sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in south-east Asia, ranging from Myanmar to the Lesser Sundas and west Philippines. The grey-throated sunbird found in the remaining part of the Philippines is often considered a subspecies of the brown-throated sunbird, but the two differ consistently in measurements and plumage, and there is no evidence of intergradation between them.
Taxonomy
The following subspecies are recognised:
- A. m. malacensis (Scopoli, 1786) – mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and satellite islands, most of Borneo aside from the north, Java and Bali
- A. m. anambae Oberholser, 1917 – Anambas Islands
- A. m. erixanthus Oberholser, 1932 – Natuna Islands
- A. m. bornensis Riley, 1920 – north Borneo
- A. m. mjobergi Bangs & Peters, JL, 1927 – Maratua
- A. m. paraguae Riley, 1920 – Palawan
- A. m. heliolusius Oberholser, 1923 – Mindanao
- A. m. wiglesworthi Hartert, 1902 – Sulu Archipelago
- A. m. iris Parkes, 1971 – Sibutu Islands
- A. m. chlorigaster Sharpe, 1877 – Western Visayas
- A. m. cagayanensis Mearns, 1905 – Mapun
- A. m. heliocalus Oberholser, 1923 – Sangihe and Siau
- A. m. celebensis Shelley, 1878 – Sulawesi and satellite islands
- A. m. extremus Mees, 1966 – Banggai and Sula
- A. m. convergens Rensch, 1929 – Lombok to Alor
- A. m. rubrigena Rensch, 1931 – Sumba
Description
The brown-throated sunbird is a relatively large, heavy sunbird with a thick bill. Measuring some 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length, it has a mass of 7.4–13.5 g (0.26–0.48 oz), with males averaging slightly larger than females.
Like most sunbirds, the male brown-throated sunbird is more colourful than the female. The male has iridescent green and purple upperparts with chestnut on the wing-coverts and scapulars; it is primarily yellow below. The female is olive-green above and yellowish below.
Behaviour
The brown-throated sunbird primarily feeds on nectar, but it will also take small fruits and berries. Juveniles are fed with insects.
Gallery
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Male
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Female
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male A. m. heliocalus
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adult A. m. heliocalus
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male
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adult A. m. heliocalus
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adult A. m. heliocalus
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Juvenile, female A. m. heliocalus
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juvenile A. m. heliocalus
References
- BirdLife International (2016). "Anthreptes malacensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103792612A94542270. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103792612A94542270.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Cheke, R. A., & Mann, C. F. (2008). Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis). pp. 247 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. (2008). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 13. Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3
- "Dippers, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds – IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- Cheke, Robert A., Mann, Clive F., & Allen, Richard. (2001). Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sugarbirds of the World. Christopher Helm, London. pp. 184–186.
| Taxon identifiers | |
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| Anthreptes malacensis |
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