Nectar birds

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Nectar birds
Brown-throated nectar bird (Anthreptes malacensis) on a Zingiberaceae of the genus Etlingera

Brown-throated nectar bird ( Anthreptes malacensis ) on a Zingiberaceae of the genus Etlingera

Systematics
Subclass : New-jawed birds (Neognathae)
Order : Passerines (Passeriformes)
Subordination : Songbirds (passeri)
without rank: Passerida
Superfamily : Passeroidea
Family : Nectar birds
Scientific name
Nectariniidae
Vigors , 1825

The nectar birds (Nectariniidae), also called honey suckers , are a species-rich family in the order of the passerine birds (Passeriformes). The family comprises 15 genera.

distribution

About half of the species of sunbirds in Africa south of the Sahara , spread. The other species have their habitat from South Asia to Australia .

features

The lively nectar birds are ecologically the counterparts of the American hummingbirds in the Old World . However, their flight is not as agile and, unlike the hummingbirds, they can only hover in place for a short time. They have strong legs with which they can sit while eating and, like the honeyeater , have a long, downward-curved beak. Their long tongue, with which they suck the nectar from the flowers and catch insects, can be stuck out. The males are often brightly colored and have shiny metallic plumage. With a few exceptions, the females are more inconspicuous.

nutrition

They feed mainly on nectar , as well as insects and spiders.

Reproduction

The clutch usually consists of two eggs. The nests, which hang on the branches or on the large leaves of the trees, are bag-shaped and closed; there is a narrow entrance to the side. To protect against enemies, the nest is sometimes also built close to a wasp's nest. The female incubates the eggs on her own and is only supported by the male in building nests and feeding.

Genera and species

Crimson nectar bird ( Aethopyga siparaja )
Grove nectar bird ( Aethopyga christinae )
Black-throated nectar bird ( Aethopyga saturata )
Line spider hunter ( Arachnothera magna )
Green-backed nectar bird ( Cinnyris jugularis )
Malegasse nectar bird ( Cinnyris souimanga )
Jerichonectar bird ♀ ( Cinnyris osea )
Jerichonectar bird ♂ ( Cinnyris osea )
Gloss nectar bird ♂ ( Cinnyris habessinicus )

literature

  • Joseph Forshaw (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Birds. Bechtermünz, Augsburg 1999, ISBN 3-8289-1557-4 .

Web links

Commons : Nectar Birds  - Collection of images, videos and audio files