- Nectarinia jugularis
Identification
Photographed in an orchid garden in Singapore, in July 2004
The Olive-backed Sunbird, Cinnyris jugularis, also known as Yellow-bellied Sunbird and formerly Nectarinia jugularis, is an Asian sunbird.
They are small songbirds, at most 12cm long. The underparts of both male and female are bright yellow, the backs are a dull brown colour. The forehead, throat and upper breast of the adult male is a dark, metallic blue-black.
Distribution
The Olive-backed Sunbird is common across southern China to the Philippines and Malaysia down to northeast Australia. Lowlands to 1700m from SE China, S through SE Asia (exc. NE Burma), Andaman & Nicobar Islands to Sumatra, including surrounding islands, Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Island, Sulawesi, Philippines & S Moluccas, New Guinea, W Papuan Island, Bismarck Arch., Solomon Is., & NE Australia & E Queensland.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Originally from mangrove habitat, the Olive-backed sunbird has adapted well to humans, and is now common even in fairly densely populated areas, even forming their nests in human dwellings. Forest edge, second growth, towns, mangroves, farmlands
Behaviour
The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Their flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering, but usually perch to feed most of the time.
The birds mate between the months of April and August. Both the male and the female assist in building the nest which is flask-shaped, with an overhanging porch at the entrance, and a trail of hanging material at the bottom end.
After building the nest, the birds abandon the nest for about a week before the female returns to lay one or two greenish-blue eggs. The eggs take a further week to hatch. The female may leave the nest for short periods during the day during incubation. After the chicks have hatched, both male and female assist in the care of the young, which leave the nest about two or three weeks later
