Brown-throated sunbird

Brown-throated sunbird
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Nectariniidae
Genus:	Anthreptes
Species:	A. malacensis
Binomial name
Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli, 1786)

The brown-throated sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), also known as the plain-throated sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in south-east Asia, ranging from Myanmar to the Lesser Sundas and west Philippines. The grey-throated sunbird found in the remaining part of the Philippines is often considered a subspecies of the brown-throated sunbird, but the two differ consistently in measurements and plumage, and there is no evidence of intergradation between them. ^[2]

Taxonomy

The following subspecies are recognised: ^[3]

• A. m. malacensis(Scopoli, 1786) – mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and satellite islands, most of Borneo aside from the north, Java and Bali
• A. m. anambae Oberholser, 1917 – Anambas Islands
• A. m. erixanthusOberholser, 1932 – Natuna Islands
• A. m. bornensis Riley, 1920 – north Borneo
• A. m. mjobergi Bangs & Peters, JL, 1927 – Maratua
• A. m. paraguaeRiley, 1920 – Palawan
• A. m. heliolusiusOberholser, 1923 – Mindanao
• A. m. wiglesworthi Hartert, 1902 – Sulu Archipelago
• A. m. iris Parkes, 1971 – Sibutu Islands
• A. m. chlorigaster Sharpe, 1877 – Western Visayas
• A. m. cagayanensis Mearns, 1905 – Mapun
• A. m. heliocalusOberholser, 1923 – Sangihe and Siau
• A. m. celebensis Shelley, 1878 – Sulawesi and satellite islands
• A. m. extremus Mees, 1966 – Banggai and Sula
• A. m. convergens Rensch, 1929 – Lombok to Alor
• A. m. rubrigenaRensch, 1931 – Sumba

Description

The brown-throated sunbird is a relatively large, heavy sunbird with a thick bill. Measuring some 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length, it has a mass of 7.4–13.5 g (0.26–0.48 oz), with males averaging slightly larger than females.

Like most sunbirds, the male brown-throated sunbird is more colourful than the female. The male has iridescent green and purple upperparts with chestnut on the wing-coverts and scapulars; it is primarily yellow below. The female is olive-green above and yellowish below.

Behaviour

The brown-throated sunbird primarily feeds on nectar, but it will also take small fruits and berries. Juveniles are fed with insects.

Gallery

• 
  Male
• 
  Female
• 
  male A. m. heliocalus
• 
  adult A. m. heliocalus
• 
  male
• 
  adult A. m. heliocalus
• 
  adult A. m. heliocalus
• 
  Juvenile, female A. m. heliocalus
• 
  juvenile A. m. heliocalus

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Anthreptes malacensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T103792612A94542270. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103792612A94542270.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
2. Cheke, R. A., & Mann, C. F. (2008). Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis). pp. 247 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. (2008). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 13. Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN   978-84-96553-45-3
3. "Dippers, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds – IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2023-01-28.

• Cheke, Robert A., Mann, Clive F., & Allen, Richard. (2001). Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sugarbirds of the World. Christopher Helm, London. pp. 184–186.