An amazing behaviour from the Eastern Violet Backed Sunbird (1 Viewer)

During my stay at Baringo, Kenya, in January 2014, I had the opportunity of observing a very interesting behaviour from the Eastern Violet Backed Sunbird (Anthreptes orientalis). You can see on the following images how a Sunbird manages to open a flower that is closed. You will notice that the bird squeezes the tip of the flower bud and that this pressure will slightly open the flower. When it is done, he can introduce its bill to suck the nectar. Simple but efficient ! I didn't notice the behaviour on the field but just when I was back and sorting my photos...

Photo 1 : A gif animation of the behaviour. You can see the high definition animation here
Photo 2 : The Sunbird has landed beside the Aloes flower that appears to be closed
Photo 3 : The bird squeezes the tip of a flower bud
Photo 4 : You will notice that the flower bud is slighlty open
Photo 5 : The flower is now open enough for the bird to introduce the bill and suck the nectar

Jerome

Very informative and nicely displayed - thanks!

Amazing. That's what birding is about.

Thanks so much for these lovely images of this sunbird Jerome. Such interesting behaviour you've recorded.

I've linked this thread to the Opus article.

Thank you Delia, Jamie and Simon for your comments. I was really pleased to notice and share this behaviour.
Jérôme