Malaysian Birds
Black-throated Sunbird
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This is a bird of the cold climate, a sub-montane bird. Commonly seen at all our highland resorts. Without the aids of Sunlight, the bird may appear blackish and even pale. Move swiftly and only stopping momentarily to harvest the nectar. Very difficult to ID the female as it is plain, so I assume all dull looking Sunbird found in the area to be the female of this species. So far I have not met any difficulties in our highland area as not once, I encountered another species of Sunbird. It is the altitude that the bird prefers but more important the cool climate. This bird is very much accustomed to human like the Olive-backed Sunbird in the lowlands. It will appear when there are activities and making enquiries for food because of the disturbances. Size & diagnostic markings:- The Black-throated Sunbird with the elongated tail is 15 cm long. The bird looks dark grey on the upper part shared by a dark red mantle and very pale yellow on the under partThe bird is of average size of the Sunbird at 15 cm plus the streamers at the tail could be as long as 15 cm. In different parts of Thailand and down to Malaysia, there are variants with slight variations in colors.. Black throat to the upper breast with spatters of iridescent blue. The crown and the tail in iridescent dark purple blue.
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Ths is a sub-adult male bird. Almost getting its full adult plumage. Below - a full back view.
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Now a female.
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This is a full adult, the normally looking dark bird.
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OK! chance to see the colours and also the gloss.
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What a odd looking profile for a Sunbird?
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Here is that same bird again
Now this is a real full adult male
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Now with better lightings, the gloss becomes more prominent.
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Ooops! another juvenile.
Quite misleading, as they keeping mottling
