The crimson-breasted flowerpecker is a bird species in the family Dicaeidae. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.
Region
Malay Peninsula and western Indonesia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia into Sumatra and nearby islands of Indonesia. It inhabits lowland primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and mangroves. The species also uses gardens and plantations with fruiting shrubs and mistletoes. It forages mainly in the mid-story to canopy, often joining mixed-species flocks.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny flowerpecker plays a key role in forest regeneration by dispersing mistletoe and other small-fruited plant seeds. It often squeezes berries to eject sticky seeds, which then adhere to branches and germinate. Nests are neat, purse-like structures woven from plant fibers and spider silk, usually suspended from slender twigs.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups, and often joins mixed flocks when trees are fruiting. Breeding pairs defend small territories and build a hanging, purse-like nest from fibers and spider silk. Both parents typically feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin, sibilant notes delivered in short series, often a rapid tsee-tsee-tsee. Calls include sharp ticks and squeaky chips used during foraging and contact.
Plumage
Compact, glossy-plumaged flowerpecker with olive-green upperparts and clean underparts. Male shows a vivid crimson blaze on the throat to upper breast, contrasting with yellowish underparts and whitish vent. Female is duller olive with pale yellowish underparts and lacks the crimson patch.
Diet
Primarily consumes small berries and drupes, especially mistletoe fruits, as well as nectar from flowering plants. It occasionally takes small insects and spiders for protein, particularly during breeding. The species often squeezes fruits to expel sticky seeds, aiding in plant dispersal.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid-canopy of lowland forests, forest edges, and mangroves. Also utilizes gardens, secondary growth, and plantations where mistletoes and small-fruited shrubs are present.
