A common, very attractive sight in many gardens as he flits from flower to flower, standing out his stunning red plumage, iridescent blue cap, and “mustache!
Meet the Crimson sunbird
The crimson sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja), is a species of bird in the sunbird family with medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations to their nectar feeding. The adult male has a bright red throat, chest, and flanks.
In comparison to the male, the adult female is duller in color.
She has an olive-green back, yellowish chest, and white tips to the outer tail feathers.
The crimson sunbird is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from India, through to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, down into Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
Crimson sunbirds like to dine primarily on nectar, though they will eat insects during the breeding season to feed their young as well as satisfy their own need for protein during this time.
Crimson sunbird males and females build a purse-shaped, moss-covered nest together – although the female takes on the part of lining the nest.
Due to their wide range and stable population, the Crimson sunbird’s current population is not thought to be under any threat.