Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
As with all sunbirds, it's diet consists of mainly nectar from flowers that it harvests with the help of its long tongue that extends well beyond its curved bill. It has the capacity of hovering above flowers if there is no perch nearby as from flowers of Saraca and Water Canna (Thalia sp.). Other plants it visits for nectar include Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis), Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior), Heliconias (Heliconia spp.), Mempat (Cratoxylum formosum), Noni (Morinda citrifolia) and Sea Apple (Syzygium grande). It has been known to rob nectar from flowers of Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Manihot (Manihot esculenta). It also takes fruits of mistletoes like Dendrophthoe pentandra.
It is also an insectivore, taking various insects, even to the extent of stealing trapped insects fron spider webs.
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
As with all sunbirds, it's diet consists of mainly nectar from flowers that it harvests with the help of its long tongue that extends well beyond its curved bill. It has the capacity of hovering above flowers if there is no perch nearby as from flowers of Saraca and Water Canna (Thalia sp.). Other plants it visits for nectar include Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis), Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior), Heliconias (Heliconia spp.), Mempat (Cratoxylum formosum), Noni (Morinda citrifolia) and Sea Apple (Syzygium grande). It has been known to rob nectar from flowers of Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Manihot (Manihot esculenta). It also takes fruits of mistletoes like Dendrophthoe pentandra.
It is also an insectivore, taking various insects, even to the extent of stealing trapped insects fron spider webs.