Sunbirds in English are called “Sunbird”. Its scientific name is Nectariniidae, and it's a small bird commonly known as a plantain. There are currently a total of 15 genera and 132 species of sunbirds known. Their main food is nectar, but they may also eat insects, especially when young. Sunbirds are distantly related to hummingbirds, and some species of sunbirds are capable of hovering but they often choose to perch to eat. This bird has many bright colors similar to the iridescent bird and is often chosen as a pet bird in the home.
How many types of sunbirds are there?
There are about 132 types of sunbirds in the world. In Vietnam, 15 types of sunbirds have been found, including:
- Ruby-cheeked sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis)
- Brown-throated sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
- Purple-naped sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum)
- Copper-throated sunbird (Leptocoma calcostetha)
- Purple-throated sunbird (Leptocoma sperata)
- Black-throated sunbird – Purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)
- Olive-backed sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis)
- Yellow-bellied Sunbird – Mrs. Gould's sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae)
- Green-tailed sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis)
- Fork-tailed sunbird (Aethopyga christinae)
- Black-throated sunbird (Aethopyga saturata)
- Crimson sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
- Little spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
- Gray-breasted spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta)
- Streaked spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna)
These are some of the sunbird species in Vietnam.
Characteristics of identifying sunbirds through appearance
Sunbirds are very small birds. Most of them have long black beaks and slightly curved downwards, suitable for finding food and sucking nectar from flowers. Sunbirds have a variety of feather colors, including red, yellow, green, purple, pink, black-spotted, brown-throated and many other colors. Among them, the 5-color sunbird and the 7-color sunbird are the two most popular species to raise in Vietnam. The weight of sunbirds ranges from 5g to 49g, with the smallest sunbird being Cinnyris nectarinioides and the largest sunbird being Arachnothera flavigaster.
To distinguish male and female sunbirds, they can be identified through the following characteristics:
Male sunbird:
- Fur color often stands out with many colorful colors.
- Tail feathers are usually longer than those of female birds.
- The size of the head, shoulders and body is larger than that of the female bird.
- Often have the ability to sing highly and emit songs to attract female birds.
Female sunbird:
- Feather color is often lighter or darker than that of male birds.
- Tail feathers are usually shorter than those of male birds.
- The size of the head and body is usually smaller than that of male birds.
- What is the behavior of sunbirds?
Sunbirds have a habit of eating mainly flower nectar, which is their main food source. In addition, they can also eat fruits and small insects in some cases.
Grouping is common in sunbirds. They often appear in pairs or small groups. Some species can gather in large flocks to search for food or defend territory from other competitors.
The breeding behavior of sunbirds usually takes place in the rainy season, when there are many food sources to ensure the development of their young. Sunbird nests are often built as small baskets hung from tree branches or foliage. Most species of sunbirds have nests built by females, while males are responsible for assisting in raising their young. Both male and female birds take turns incubating eggs in the nest.
Regarding migratory behavior, most sunbirds can migrate seasonally or over short distances, depending on the location and region in which they live.
How should I choose a honeysucking cage?
When choosing a cage for a sunbird, size is an important factor. Cages ranging in size from 54 to 68 spokes are ideal, with a minimum diameter of 40cm and height of 60cm. Large cages help birds have enough space to fly and act naturally.
In terms of materials, bird cages made of wood and bamboo are the best choice. Wooden cages have less impact on bird health and are more durable. Compared to cages made of steel, wooden cages provide better aesthetics and increase the aesthetic appeal of ornamental birds. However, steel cages also have high sturdiness.
For bird cages, you can choose suitable shapes such as square cages, round cages, rectangular cages, hexagonal cages and many other types of cages. The number of birds you can keep in one cage depends on the size and type of cage, usually 1-2 birds are suitable.
If you want to raise many sunbirds, you can choose an Aviary (Avi) cage. This type of cage provides spaciousness for the birds, allowing many birds to be raised at the same time. However, Avi cages take up a large area and cost more than regular bird cages.
What is the food of sunbirds?
Summary of food and nutrition for sunbirds:
- Berries : Sunbirds can eat raspberries, grapes, mulberries, blueberries and many other berries.
- Fruits : Sunbirds also like to eat rambutan, mango, watermelon, red dragon fruit, fish eggs and many other fruits.
- Nectar : Nectar is an important food source for sunbirds. Types of nectar include coconut flower nectar, hibiscus flower, canna flower, peach bell flower, cotton flower nectar, cardamom flower, banana flower and many other types of nectar.
- Bugs and insects : Sunbirds also eat small worms, ant eggs, and some other small insects.
- Synthetic bran : You can buy sunbird bran or make your own bran from green beans, eggs, shrimp and durian. The process of making bran includes roasting green beans, mixing the ingredients together and drying. This synthetic bran can be fed to sunbirds such as 7-color sunbirds, 5-color sunbirds, brown-throated and red-throated sunbirds.
- Liquid food : You can create liquid food for sunbirds by mixing sugar water, honey and fruit juices like watermelon, mango, etc.
- For young sunbirds : Newly brought baby sunbirds should be fed ant eggs and small insects to help them grow strongly. When the bird has enough feathers, you can gradually switch to feeding the bird bran, by mixing bran with insects in the right ratio.
BUY QUALITY BRAN FOR HONEYSUCKING BIRD
Note that sunbird care and nutrition may vary depending on the specific bird species. You should learn carefully about the species of sunbirds you raise to ensure you provide them with suitable food and create the best living environment for them.
Care and hygiene regimen for sunbirds
To maintain the health and good development of sunbirds. Here is a summary of the key perspectives:
- Cleaning: Clean cages and cages periodically 1-2 times per week to keep the bird's living environment clean and limit bacterial growth. At the same time, make sure that food and water areas are also cleaned daily to avoid infection.
- Bathing: Sunbirds need to be given regular sunbathing and water baths to keep their feathers and skin clean and limit the growth of bacteria. Provide your bird with a suitable bathing spot and make sure the water is always clear and clean.
- Food: Avoid feeding birds moldy, rancid food or dirty water, because they can harm the bird's health. Make sure the food provided to your birds is fresh and free of bacteria.
- Cage area: Choose a bird cage with a large area so the bird has enough space to fly and move comfortably. This is even more important when you raise many birds at the same time.
In summary, maintaining hygiene, providing clean food and water, giving the bird baths, and providing ample space are important factors in taking the best care of sunbirds. Be sure to follow specific regulations and care instructions for the birds you keep to ensure their health and happiness.
Summary of questions about sunbirds
Where to download honeyeater singing mp3?
To download the mp3 song of the sunbird, you can listen and download it right here. The file of the song of the sunbird is free of moisture and standard, helping to stimulate the bird to sing quickly.
How long do sunbirds live?
In the wild: Sunbirds, when they have enough food and live in a favorable environment, can live from 10 to 15 years, as long as they are not attacked by predators.
In captivity: With good care, sunbirds in captivity can live 8 to 10 years.
What to feed sunbirds?
In the wild: Sunbirds feed primarily on flower nectar, along with additional foods such as grubs, fruit, and small insects.
In captivity: Sunbirds are often fed bird bran specially made for this bird. Bran can be purchased ready-made or made yourself according to the recipe. This helps reduce effort and time spent caring for birds. In addition, it is necessary to supplement nectar, fruit and insects to provide adequate nutrition for birds.
