Aethopyga saturata
The Black-throated Sunbird, *Aethopyga saturata*, is a dazzling passerine found across South and Southeast Asia, renowned for its striking sexual dimorphism and hummingbird-like ecological niche. Males are spectacularly adorned with a metallic purplish-blue crown, iridescent green ear-coverts, a vivid crimson-red back, and a distinctive velvety black throat and upper breast, contrasting with a yellowish-olive belly. Their long, pointed tail often features elongated central rectrices, adding t...
Inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, moist lowland forests, secondary growth, clearings, and gardens. Found from near sea level up to elevations exceeding 3000 meters.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, using its long, decurved bill and tubular tongue. Also consumes small insects and spiders, particularly when provisioning young.
Diurnal and highly active, the Black-throated Sunbird is a nimble forager, often seen perching or briefly hovering to extract nectar from flowers with its specialized tongue. It supplements its diet by gleaning small insects and spiders from foliage. Males are territorial, especially during the b...
The Black-throated Sunbird boasts a broad distribution spanning much of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Its range extends from the Himalayan foothills, encompassing Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India, eastward through Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It a...
Least Concern
- The Black-throated Sunbird's long, brush-tipped tongue is specially adapted to efficiently extract nectar from deep flower corollas. - Males can flash a brilliant 'gorget' of iridescent feathers on their throat and crown, which changes color from purple to blue or green depending on the angle o...