Thailand History Guide » Wild habitats

Brown Throated Sunbird

thailandhistoryguide — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:21:07 +0000

Among the many resident bird species that inhabit the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), the sunbirds possess one of the most brilliantly coloured plumage. The bright colours are found only on the adult males with the females and young males clad mainly in varying hues of olive, green and yellow. Belonging to the family Nectariniidae, sunbirds are distributed from Africa to Asia and Australia. In Singapore, six species of sunbirds occur, of which four have been recorded at SBWR. That is about 4% of the total sunbird species worldwide. Of the four species, the most abundant at SBWR is the Brown-throated, also known as the Plain-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis). The Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) is the next most numerous followed by the Copper-throated Sunbird (Nectarinia calcostetha) and the Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja).

Sunbirds are essentially nectar feeders, but they are also known to take small insects. Superficially resembling the well-known hummingbirds of Central and South America, sunbirds however have strong feet and legs and have short rounded wings. Sunbirds have relatively long, slender decurved bills that enable them to probe into suitable flowers for nectar.

Their nests are unusual. Generally pear-shaped, globular or oval and composed of grass, fibres and cobwebs, they are usually suspended from the ends of terminal twigs. Clutches of two eggs is typical.

The survival of sunbirds has been monitored at SBWR through ringing studies. Although very small and active, sunbirds are known to have long lives in the wild. For example, the Brown-throated Sunbird, has been known to live for at least 61 months (5 years) in SBWR while studies in other localities have revealed lives exceeding 12 years! For the other species, SBWR has recorded (between ringing and subsequent capture) durations of 60 months (5 years) for the Olive-backed Sunbird and 61 months (5 years) for the Copper-throated Sunbird.

The Copper-throated Sunbird (Nectarinia calcostetha) is one of the more interesting species. Found only in South-east Asia, they live within the mangrove forest. They are one of the few bird species that are global mangrove specialists. Nesting on mangrove trees like Avicennia alba they feed from the flowers of mangroves like the Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Males have iridescent coppery red throats with iridescent green on the crown, shoulder and uppertail. Females have white throats and are mostly decorated in grey and yellow. They are sexually dimorphic with adult males being about 10% longer and 20% heavier than adult females. Nests have been seen in the reserve between April and August and it has been known to nest from January to September in other localities.

Perhaps the most abundant sunbird at the wetland, the Brown-throated Sunbird, can be seen in all areas of SBWR. It is also the largest sunbird species in SBWR (and Singapore). Weighing in at a maximum of 14.0g, males are generally larger than females especially in terms of body length. Possessing reddish eyes (iris) when they are adults (the other three species have dark brown eyes), they have olive brown eyes as juveniles.

What about the smallest sunbird species in SBWR? Either the Crimson Sunbird or the Olive-backed Sunbird qualifies. These two species also share a common characteristic that is the exhibition of an eclipse plumage in the males. This is essentially a short-term post-breeding plumage. Whatever the plumage type, the adult male Crimson Sunbird appears like a tiny red dot amongst the vegetation. It weighs about 7.0g (about the weight of a 50 cent coin) with females being slightly lighter. The females have the dubious honour of having perhaps the dullest plumage of any sunbird in the region with only dull olive and yellow to adorn herself.

The Olive-backed Sunbird is more abundant than the Crimson Sunbird. Many of them can be seen flitting among the flowering trees at the Visitor Centre complex especially on sunny days.

There is no doubt that the sunbirds as a group add life, colour and sound to the green vegetation in SBWR and Singapore in general. Generally, to attract and encourage sunbird populations to increase, it is important to cater to their food and nest requirements. Suitable free flowering trees and plants provide abundant nectar as food. Many types of trees may also be used as nest sites while grass patches serve to provide building material for the nest. SBWR has taken these measures and the population of sunbirds at the site serve as an indicator of the success of these measures. More studies await those interested in understanding especially the population dynamics, species interactions and carrying capacities of these sunbirds at SBWR.

Brown Throated Sunbird

Monitor Lizard

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:24:48 +0000

The monitor lizard is a diurnal species that feeds on insects, eggs, fish, other lizards, snakes, nestling birds and small mammals.

Monitor Lizard

Green Peafowl

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:21:50 +0000

The only viable population of green peafowls remaining in Thailand is found in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary where about 300 birds gain refuge.

Green Peafowl

Fungi

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:17:29 +0000

As part of the nutrient recycling scheme of the natural forest, fungi play an essential role in all forests and woodlands.

Fungi

Wild Ginger

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:07:20 +0000

One of a large number of economically valuable plants thai grow wild in the forests of Thailand, the wild ginger plant is believed to have a number of medicinal healing properties that are now being investigated.

Wild Ginger

Thailand Forest

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:02:58 +0000

Montane Evergreen Forest

This is typified by an open canopy with trees festooned in lichens and epiphytes. Trees are also much shorter and less straight when compared with those of lowland forest.

Hill Evergreen Rain Forest

Climbing from montane evergreen forests. an unclear transition zone of slightly smaller trees that are widely spaced apart lies at an altitude of 2,300-2,600 feet above sea level.

Evergreen Rain Forest

True evergreen rain forest exists only in the extreme southern region of peninsular Thailand, near the Malaysian border.

Tropical Rain Forest

It is one of the richest ecosystems on the planet today.

Mixed Deciduous Forest

It supports a great proportion of the country’s interesting and varied wildlife.

Bamboo Forest

Bamboo stands are present in monsoon forests and generally thrive in areas previously cleared by man, blocking out most growth beneath their lofty foliage.

Dry deciduous woodlands

Extensive dry deciduous woodlands with some dipterocarp species still occur in the north and east of the country.

Riverine Grasslands

Open patches of riverien grassland and savanna are important feeding and browsing areas for many forest herbivores. many areas of grassland were formerly forested but regular outbreaks of fire prevent woody regeneration of these ares.

Mangroves

Coastal mangrove formations help protect shorelines from erosion and also provide a safe haven and nersery ground for a huge variety of fish species.

Thailand Forest

Asian Black Bear

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:41:56 +0000

The Asian black bear is a forest dweller that feeds mainly on nuts and fruit, as well as ants, insect larvae and carrion.

Asian Black Bear

Hornbill

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:38:01 +0000

The strong and often ornate beak of the harnbill is perfectly molded for picking and cracking large fruit and seed pods from a wide range of forest plants.

Hornbill

Leaf Monkey and Gibbon

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:06:09 +0000

These primates dwell in the forest canopy and feed on fruit and leaves. The leaf monkey has a large, especially adapted stomach Similar to that of a cow.

Gibbon

: Leaf Monkey

Red Rhododendron

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:52:30 +0000

Like other Rhododendrons, this shrub blooms from late winter through the end of spring. Bright flowers grow large and grow thick… blanketing the foliage below. Though red is the dominant color, some blooms can take on shades of orange, red-orange, apricot and yellow. Red Rhododendron is also known for its potent fragrance. Red Rhododendron can grow up to 8 feet in height, with an equal width. This evergreen can work as part of a border planting plan, be used as part of a hedge growth, or be set up as a spotlight piece in your garden. This is an easy to grow, hardy variety that looks great all year-round. Plant in groups for a powerful display of color.

Red Rhododendron

Barking Deer

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:50:04 +0000

Also called muntjac, these solitary animals are found in woodlands, rain forests and monsoon forests with dense vegetation.

Barking Deer

Banteng

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:47:13 +0000

The banteng is a species of wild ox native to Southeast Asia.

Banteng

Kouprey

thailandhistoryguide — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:44:22 +0000

Once a widely distributed species, the douprey is today one of the most seriously threatened large mamals in the world.

Kouprey

Wild Habitats

thailandhistoryguide — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:06:54 +0000

Much of Thailand’s natural heritage is due to the shape of the country, a stretched ribbon of land over 900 miles long, spanning both seasonally dry zones and habitats where rain falls throughout the year. the present-day Thai landscape has been molded by the actions of various colonists in the past, with farming being the most important influence. About 20,000 square miles of the country are set aside as conservation areas (for example, northest Thailand national parks, many of which ae open to the public, offering visitors and opportunity to encounter a wide range of plants and animals within a natural environment.

Wild Habitats

Thailand History Guide » Wild habitats

Brown Throated Sunbird

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