Orange-tufted spiderhunter | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Nectariniidae |
Genus: | Arachnothera |
Species: | A. flammifera |
Binomial name | |
Arachnothera flammifera Tweeddale, 1878 | |
The orange-tufted spiderhunter (Arachnothera flammifera) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on Mindanao and Eastern Visayas. It was originally considered a subspecies of the little spiderhunter.
This species was Peter Kaestner's 10,000th species of bird seen. [2]
eBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest understory and edge with a very long curved bill. Has a preference for banana plants. Olive-green above, whitish to pale gray from the throat to the upper belly, and yellow on the lower belly and under the base of the tail. Note the small orange tufts on the sides. Voice includes a repeated 'sweet-sweet-sweet!' or dry 'tyup!'" [3]
This species was formerly conspecific with the Little spiderhunter and Pale spiderhunter. This species is differentiated by its pale gray throat and belly, its eponymous flame orange tufts and its higher pitched song.
Two subspecies are recognized:
This species' diet has not yet been comprehensively studied but it is assumed to have a similar diet as the formerly conspecifc Little spiderhunter which feeds on nectar, insects and spiders.Has been known to show nectar robbing. Typically forages alone or in pairs in the lower levels of vegetation.
Not much is known about its breeding habits but birds collected in breeding condition with enlarged gonads collected in April and May. [4] [5]
It is found in tropical moist lowland forestup to 1,000 meters above sea level.
IUCN has assessed this bird as least-concern species. This species is generally uncommon but apparently shows a tolerance for degraded habitat and plantations.
Occurs in a few protected areas like Pasonanca Natural Park, Mount Apo and Mount Kitanglad on Mindanao, Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape in Bohol and Samar Island Natural Park but actual protection and enforcement from illegal logging and hunting are lax [6]
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