Flaming Sunbird
Aethopyga flagrans
A small bird of forest and edge from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains on Luzon and Catanduanes. Has a fairly long, curved bill, olive upperparts, and a yellowish upper belly. Male has a blackish tail, face, throat, and chest, with green iridescence on the forecrown and purple on the throat. Similar to Olive-backed Sunbird, but has a red chest spot, an orange wash on the upper belly, and no white outer tail feathers. Female has a gray throat and lacks the yellow brow. Voice includes a high-pitched double-noted call, “chik-chik!”
Identification
The flaming sunbird (Aethopyga flagrans) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is endemic to the northern Philippines found on the islands of Luzon and Catanduanes. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly conspecific with the Maroon-naped sunbird.
Taxonomy
Genus: Aethopyga; Family: Nectariniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Aethopyga flagrans
- Authority
- Oustalet, 1876
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Aethopyga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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