Saturday 30 March 2019

Copper-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma calcostetha)

OTHER NAMES: Macklot's Sunbird
Latin Etymology: Leptocoma ("delicate hair") calcostetha ("bronze breast")
Adult female Copper-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma calcostethaat Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 12-13cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Unlike the other sunbird species I've seen to date, the copper-throated is a specialised species of a particular habitat: the mangroves.  I encountered them somewhat unexpectedly - I was exploring the boardwalks of Sungei Buloh, not really knowing what to expect when I met a very enthusiastic gentleman who has found a particularly showy pair and pointed them out to me!  Unfortunately, I failed to get an in focus photo of the beautiful irridescent male bird, but managed to get very clear views of both of them thanks to his generous help.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Nectariniidae
Genus: Leptocoma
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -
SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident
 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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