Photoshooting the Eastern Crimson Sunbird

Eastern Crimson Sunbird - Kelicap Sepah Raja (Malay) at the Chinese Hat Plant (Holmskioldia sanguinea)

 The Eastern Crimson Sunbird lives in the forest area of the park.  Everyday it would come out of the forest cover to the open garden areas of the park.  Searching for nectar at the Chinese Hat Plant (Holmskioldia sanguinea) and the many varieties of Heliconias seems to be its hobby.  Today it decided to hangout at the Chinese Hat Plant giving me an exclusive photoshoot session.  On close-up its interesting to note its dark-blue forehead and forecrown.  The most colourful part of the bird is the red colour of its head to back.  As is practically known it is the male of the species that has the crimson colour.

Note the dark metallic blue of its upper tail feathers.
Location : Zone C

Tiny birds are at Heliconia point

Eastern Crimson Sunbird at the Chinese hat plant
Location: Heliconia point, Heliconia Valley, Zone C

 The Eastern Crimson Sunbird's beak is design fitted for siphoning nectar from the Chinese hat plant.  Such wonders of nature can be easily seen in the park.  So is the Little Spiderhunter and the Brown-throated Sunbird's bill.  They are sharp and on many occasions these birds take the short cut to reach at the nectar by just piercing through the base of the flower.  The are many species of birds that can be seen regularly visiting the flowers that are purposely cultivated for attracting them at this birding spot.  The planting include ixora species, Chinese hat plant, many varieties of heliconias, hibiscus and also plants belonging to the ginger family.  Additional bonuses on the sidelines may include tree shrews, squirrels, butterflies, lizards, praying mantis, stick insets, etc..

Little Spiderhunter at Heliconia 'Sexy Pink'

Brown-throated Sunbird at Heliconia'Sexy Pink'

Highlights today at the park - 6 Sept'14

Chinese hat plant ( Holmskiolda sanguinea)

A flowering jungle liana or climber at Provinsi Liana

Eastern Crimson Sunbird sipping nectar from the Chinese hat plant flower
Location : Zone C

Highlights today at the park

Eastern Crimson Sunbird - Kelicap Sepah Raja (Malay)
Aethopyga siparaja

Tabebuia rosea
Family : Bignoniaceae - Bignonia family

Heliconia psittacorum
Family : Musaceae - Banana family

Two Sunbirds

Brown- throated Sunbird
Anthreptes malacensis

Eastern Crimson Sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja

 The heliconia bracts are a real attraction to two sunbirds.  I saw very early in the morning the Brown-throated Sunbird and latter joined by the Eastern Crimson Sunbird having their time at the inflorescence.  Both birds are tiny yet very attractive.  The Eastern Crimson Sunbird with its amazing crimson head and back while the Brown-throated Sunbird has very striking metallic blue upper parts.  On many occasions I notice that both birds like to pierce through the bracts to reach the nectar ....