Backyard Birds

White-flanked Sunbird (Aethopyga eximia) – Kuhl’s Sunbird

The White-flanked Sunbird (Aethopyga eximia) – also known as Kuhl’s Sunbird – occurs naturally only in the mountains of the Indonesian island of Java, from 4,000 feet (~ 1,200 meters) up to 10,000 feet (~3,000 meters). Within its limited range, this species is described as locally common, particularly at higher altitudes.

This species is most easily found in the Gede-Pangrango National Park; however, these birds are generally shy and restless and not easily observed.

These nectar-feeders often move low in areas with small, stunted trees, forests, and along trails and in clearings, foraging on the flowers of various trees, bushes, and undergrowth.

White-flanked Sunbirds (Aethopyga eximia) - Male above, female below

Description

Size

The White-flanked Sunbird measures about 5.1 inches or 13 cm in length, including the tail.

Plumage Details / Adults

White-flanked Sunbird (Aethopyga eximia) - Male - white flanks are hidden under wings

This bird was named for its white flanks which offers the best method of identifying this bird, provided the white flanks aren’t covered by their wings. The male has a bluish crown and reddish-brown throat and chest, with some purplish feathers below the throat.

Other Physical Details

The long thin down-curved bill and brush-tipped tubular tongue are both adaptations to this bird’s nectar-feeding habits.

Gender ID

The female’s plumage is a duller olive-color, lighter below.

Juvenile Description

Immature birds resemble the adult female.

White-flanked Sunbird (Aethopyga eximia) - Male - feeding

Female White-flanked Sunbird Aethopyga eximia

Diet / Feeding

White-flanked Sunbirds mostly feed on nectar, although take insects, particularly during the breeding season to feed their young and to satisfy their own need for increased protein in their diet during this demanding time.

They favor flowers with the highest sugar content and seek out those areas containing flowers with high-energy nectar.

The males establish feeding territories on flower-bearing shrubs and trees, which they aggressively defend.

Many native and cultivated plants on whose flowers sunbirds feed heavily rely on them for pollination. The mostly tubular-shaped flowers exclude most bees and butterflies from feeding on them and, subsequently, from pollinating the plants.

White-flanked Sunbird (Aethopyga eximia) - Female

Breeding / Nesting

The White-flanked Sunbird male and female build the purse-shaped, moss-covered nest together – although the female takes on the part of lining the nest. The nest is often suspended from a thin branch of a low tree or shrub.

The average clutch consists of 2 – 3 eggs which are mostly incubated by the female for about 18 – 19 days. The male assists with feeding the young.

Calls / Vocalizations / Sounds

Its voice is described as a high-pitched chattering “tee-tee-tee.“

Sound Recording / Avocet

Alternate (Global) Names

Chinese: ????? … Czech: Sstrdimil b?loboký / jávský … Danish: Hvidflanket Solfugl … Dutch: Javaanse Honingzuiger … Finnish: Jaavanmedestäjä … French: Souimanga de Java / de Kuhl … German: Java Necktarvogel, Kavan … Indonesian: Burung madu gunung … Italian: Nettarinia di Kuhl / fianchibianchi … Japanese: Shirofusataiyouchou … Norwegian: Hvitflankesolfugl … Polish: Kwiatownik bialoboczny … Russian: ???????? ???????????? ?????????? … Slovak: nektárovka bieloboká … Spanish: Nectarina de Kuhl, Suimanga Eximio … Swedish: Vitflankad solfågel

 
 
 

Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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