The yellow-eared spiderhunter is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Borneo, Sumatra, and parts of Vietnam. It occupies subtropical and tropical moist lowland and hill forests, mangroves, and moist montane forest, and often uses forest edges and clearings with flowering plants. It also forages in secondary growth and occasionally in gardens or plantations where suitable blossoms are abundant. It tends to remain within forested landscapes but will travel locally to track flowering trees and gingers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This spiderhunter uses its long, decurved bill to probe tubular flowers for nectar and often pierces the base of blossoms to “rob” nectar. It also takes spiders and small insects, sometimes gleaned directly from webs—hence the name. By visiting many flowers, it acts as an effective pollinator for rainforest gingers and bananas. It is typically shy, keeping to dense foliage in the mid- to upper canopy.
Temperament
active and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, direct dashes between flowers
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks at rich nectar sources. Nests are typically pouch-like and suspended from broad leaves or thin branches, often well concealed. Pairs maintain small breeding territories centered on reliable flowering plants.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, high-pitched chips and squeaks, often delivered in quick series. It also gives thin, buzzy trills while foraging. The song is not elaborate but carries well through dense foliage.
Plumage
Mostly olive-green upperparts with paler, buffy underparts and a clean, unstreaked belly. A bright yellow patch on the ear-coverts stands out on the otherwise plain face. Feathers are sleek and close-fitting, giving a streamlined look. The bill is long, slender, and strongly decurved.
Diet
Takes nectar from tubular blossoms such as gingers, bananas, and other rainforest flowers, sometimes piercing the corolla to access nectar. Supplements nectar with spiders and small insects gleaned from foliage and webs. Will hover briefly at flowers but more often perches to feed, moving methodically along flowering branches.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid- to upper canopy of primary and secondary forest, at forest edges, and in mangroves. Also visits flowering trees and shrubs in parks, gardens, and plantations when available. Chooses areas with continuous nectar sources and abundant arthropods.
