The Sahul sunbird is a species of bird in the sunbird family Nectariniidae that is endemic to Sulawesi eastwards to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It is also found in northeast Australia. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the olive-backed sunbird, now renamed the garden sunbird.
Region
Wallacea to Australo-Papua and the Solomon Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs from Sulawesi eastward through the Moluccas to New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Solomon Islands, and also in northeast Australia (notably Cape York Peninsula and adjacent coasts). It favors coastal lowlands, mangroves, beach scrub, monsoon woodland, and forest edges. It readily uses human-modified habitats, frequenting gardens, parks, and plantations. In New Guinea it is widespread in lowland rainforests and secondary growth. Local movements may follow flowering cycles.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Sahul sunbird is a recently recognized split from the former olive-backed sunbird complex, with the latter now often called the garden sunbird. It is an active nectar feeder and an important pollinator for many native plants as well as garden ornamentals. Pairs build distinctive pendant, purse-like nests from plant fibers and spider silk, often with a small side porch. Males show a glossy blue-black throat patch that flashes in good light.
Female feeding chick in nest
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, defending nectar-rich shrubs and trees within small territories. The nest is a hanging, pouch-like structure made from grass, fibers, and spider webs, often with a side entrance porch. Clutches are typically two eggs; the female incubates while both parents feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin, and fast series of squeaks and twitters, often delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp tsiip and tsee notes interspersed with buzzy trills.
Plumage
Male with olive upperparts and bright yellow underparts, featuring a glossy blue-black metallic throat and upper breast; female lacks the throat gloss, showing olive above and yellow below. Both sexes have a slender, decurved bill and relatively plain wings and tail.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from a wide range of native and ornamental flowers, probing with its decurved bill and sometimes gleaning from the surface. Also takes small insects and spiders, especially during the breeding season to supply protein to nestlings. Will hawk tiny flying insects and glean arthropods from foliage. Acts as a pollinator for many flowering shrubs and trees, including coastal and garden species.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in flowering shrubs, mangroves, forest edge blossoms, and urban gardens. Often forages at mid to upper canopy levels but will descend to eye level in gardens.
