Little spiderhunter

The little spiderhunter is a species of long-billed nectar-feeding bird in the family Nectariniidae found in the moist forests of South and Southeast Asia. Unlike typical sunbirds, males and females are very similar in plumage. They are usually seen in ones or twos and frequently make a tzeck call. They are most often found near flowering plants where they obtain nectar.

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Distribution

Region

South and Southeast Asia

Typical Environment

Occurs from the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar and Indochina to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby islands. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, bamboo thickets, and secondary growth. The species readily uses gardens and plantations with flowering gingers, bananas, and heliconias. It tends to forage in the undergrowth to mid‑story, especially where tubular flowers are abundant.

Altitude Range

0–1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–15 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.015 kg

Female Weight0.014 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Little spiderhunters are long-billed nectar specialists in the sunbird family, and males and females look very similar. They often attach their purse-like nests to the underside of broad leaves using plant fibers and spider silk. While they are important pollinators of gingers and bananas, they also sometimes pierce flower bases to rob nectar.

Gallery

Little spiderhunter foraging on Musa sp.

Nest under a leaf

Little spiderhunter eggs[17]

Behaviour

Temperament

quiet and active, often skulking in cover

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct flights between flowers

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs and loosely tolerant of others at rich flower patches. Nests are small, pouch-like structures suspended from the underside of large leaves using fibers and spider silk. Both sexes are similar in plumage; breeding behavior includes careful placement of nests near sheltered foliage.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations include sharp, metallic tzeck or tzeet notes and short buzzy phrases. The calls are frequent while foraging and serve as contact notes rather than elaborate song.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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