h Little Spiderhunter at Sepilok by SINGH HSS, Amar - Borneo Bird Images

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NECTARINIIDAE Sunbirds & Spiderhunters > Little Spiderhunter

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Little Spiderhunter

Latin Name : Arachnothera longirostra

Site Name : Sepilok

Photographer : SINGH HSS, Amar

Date : 2016-05-01

Notes : Little Spiderhunters were common at the Rain-forest Discovery Center, especially in the discovery garden – a show case of the biodiversity of plants at the centre.
I saw them feeding on the nectar of Calathea lutea. The Calathea lutea is a native to tropical America and known as the Cuban or Havana Cigar, and used to wrap tamales. It has become popularly by landscapers and as a ‘water-feature’. It produces 30-cm long inflorescences that have a cigar-like structure, are brownish with yellow flowers. A favourite nectar source for the Little Spiderhunter, as can be seen by the pollen covering the beak.
Frank B. Gill. Ornithology. 3rd Edition 2007 states: “Most birds inhale air through nostrils, or nares, at the base of the bill. A flap, or operculum, covers and protects the nostrils in some birds, such as diving birds that must keep water from entering their nostrils and flower-feeding birds that must keep pollen out.” This image offers views of this flap at the base of the bill.