Arachnothera flavigaster
The Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster) is a captivating passerine, measuring approximately 17-19 cm in length and weighing around 18-28 grams. Its striking appearance features a dull olive-green back that transitions to bright yellow underparts, but its most distinctive field mark is the vivid yellow orbital ring surrounding the eye, giving it its "spectacled" common name. This medium-sized member of the Nectariniidae family, which includes sunbirds and spiderhunters, is close...
This species primarily inhabits lowland and lower montane evergreen rainforests, including primary and mature secondary forests, forest edges, and often visits plantations and orchards with suitable flowering plants, typically from sea level up to around 1,500 meters.
The primary diet consists of flower nectar, obtained by probing blossoms with their long, decurved bills, supplemented significantly by insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, and occasionally small fruits.
Spectacled Spiderhunters are highly active, diurnal birds, spending their days meticulously foraging throughout the forest canopy and understory, often roosting communally in dense foliage at night. Their foraging strategy primarily involves probing flowers for nectar with their specialized bills...
The Spectacled Spiderhunter is a resident species distributed across Southeast Asia. Its primary range encompasses the Malay Peninsula, including peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, and extends into the larger Sunda Islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Within Borneo, it is widespread across Indonesian Ka...
Least Concern
- The "Spectacled" in its name refers to the distinctive bright yellow orbital ring around its eye, a key identification feature. - Unlike many sunbirds, spiderhunters like this species have a more robust, heavily decurved bill, perfectly adapted for probing deep into large flowers for nectar. - ...