Jul 13
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, Mrs Goulds sunbird, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, sunbird

Mrs Goulds sunbird male, Bhutan

The Mrs. Gould’s sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. Male 14–15 cm, 6·5–8 g; female 10 cm, 6·1 g. Relatively short-billed sunbird, male long-tailed. Male nominate race has metallic violet crown. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Found in Various forest types, including oak forest, ridgetop forest and conifers, scrub. The Irish ornithologist Nicholas Vigors named the bird after Elizabeth Gould, a British artist and the wife of the naturalist John Gould. Diet is Nectar, spiders (Araneae) and insects. Forages at all levels, typically among lower branches and undergrowth; often at mistletoes. Resident; Seasonal altitudinal movements in higher parts of range; some post-breeding movement in NE India. Not globally threatened. Not globally threatened. Generally uncommon in India, but locally common in East; widespread but uncommon in Nepal; frequent in Bhutan; not uncommon in Myanmar.
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Jul 13
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, crimson sunbird, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, sunbird

Crimson Sunbird male on a perch, Bhutan

The crimson sunbird is a species of bird in the sunbird family which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding the young. Crimson sunbirds are tiny, only 11 cm long. Male 11·7–15 cm, 4·8–9 g; female 10 cm, 5–6·9 g. Male nominate race has forehead to centre of crown glossed purple-green. They have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations to their nectar feeding. The adult male has a crimson breast and maroon back. The rump is yellow and the belly is olive. The female has an olive-green back, yellowish breast and white tips to the outer tail feathers. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed most of the time. Diet is Insects, spiders (Araneae) and nectar. Forages in pairs and singly, also in family parties, usually low down but occasionally in canopy. Various forest types, including mangroves, heavily disturbed and regenerating secondary forests. Seasonal altitudinal movements in Himalayas. Sight record from Pakistan (Islamabad) in winter, Resident. Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Generally fairly common to common throughout wide range; uncommon to rare on Butung (off SE Sulawesi). Occurs in many protected areas.
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