Handsome Sunbird
Aethopyga bella
A tiny bird of wooded areas from the lowlands to the mountains. Has a fairly long, curved bill, a white belly, an olive wing, and a yellow patch on the back. Male has a yellow throat and chest, a purple ear spot, and a purple mustache stripe tipped with green. Note the green forecrown and pointed tail. Male somewhat resembles Metallic-winged Sunbird and other similar species, but Handsome has a red face and back. The drab female is similar to many other species, but is tiny and relatively short-billed. Voice includes a high-pitched jumbled song and a repeated sharp “chik!”
Identification
The handsome sunbird (Aethopyga bella) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forests.It has a high pitched voice and it sounds like "chik".
Taxonomy
Genus: Aethopyga; Family: Nectariniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Aethopyga bella
- Authority
- Tweeddale, 1877
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Aethopyga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ochraceous Wren
Troglodytes ochraceus
Tiny short-tailed wren, plain warm brown with brighter buffy face and bold buffy eyebrow. Found in highland forests, where it can be seen sneaking up tree trunks and through vine tangles in search of insects. Often follows mixed feeding flocks. Similar to House Wren, but note warmer color and eyebrow. Listen for song, a high-pitched musical jumble of tinkling notes and short trills.
White-browed Nuthatch
Sitta victoriae
This exquisite nuthatch can only be found in a tiny portion of Myanmar’s southern Chin Hills. The gray-white-and-rust color scheme of this species is unmistakable. Occurs in oak-rhododendron forests at approximately 2300–2750 meters. Like other nuthatches, feeds actively along branches, typically singly or in pairs. Gives a bubbling trill and cheeps insistently.
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Common in Caribbean and South America. Found in semiopen and open grassy areas, often associated with livestock. Feeds mainly on the ground, but perches readily in bushes and trees. Male is glossy blue-black overall (often looks simply black). Female is plain grayish-brown overall. Bill shape is the key feature: blackish bill is more slender and pointed than bills of Brown-headed and Bronzed cowbirds. Also note similar but larger Melodious Blackbird, which has longer bill and often flicks its tail.
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