The maroon-naped sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found on the islands of Negros Island, Panay and Guimaras. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Western Visayas, Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs on Negros, Panay, and Guimaras, primarily in tropical moist lowland forests and adjacent foothills. It frequents forest edges, secondary growth, and sometimes plantations and gardens with abundant flowering plants. Birds forage from understory to canopy, often following blooming trees along ridges and stream edges. The species is most numerous where native floral resources remain intact.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small sunbird is endemic to the Western Visayas of the Philippines and is often seen flitting among flowering trees and shrubs. It usually perches to feed but can hover briefly at blossoms, transferring pollen on its forehead and bill and acting as a local pollinator. It tolerates forest edges and secondary growth, though extensive lowland deforestation on its islands may affect local numbers.
A male ssp. daphoenonota
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between perches; brief hovering at flowers
Social Behavior
Often seen singly, in pairs, or loosely with mixed-species flocks when trees are in bloom. Courtship includes active chase and display around flowering plants. The nest is a small, pendant, purse-like structure with a side entrance, typically suspended from a twig or vine; females usually construct the nest and incubate, with both parents feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High-pitched, thin twitters and squeaky chips delivered in rapid sequences. Calls are sharp, metallic ticks interspersed with brief, buzzy trills when excited near flowering trees.
Plumage
Male shows iridescent metallic green on the head and mantle with a distinct maroon patch on the nape, contrasting yellow underparts, and olive upperparts; bill long and slender. Female is duller olive-brown above with yellowish to olive underparts and lacks the male’s iridescence. Both sexes have a decurved, slender bill adapted for nectar feeding.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from flowering trees, shrubs, and vines, probing deeply with its slender decurved bill. Supplements nectar with small insects and spiders, especially during breeding to feed nestlings. Also takes small arthropods by gleaning foliage or sallying short distances from perches.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and in secondary growth where flowers are abundant. Will use plantations and village gardens with ornamental blooms, especially during peak flowering.
