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Subject: [Hong Kong] A female fork tailed sunbird? [Print This Page]

Author: lukying Time: 12/08/2014 08:24 Subject: A female fork tailed sunbird?

At Sai Kung West

Image Attachment: [2014-0811] 1.jpg (12/08/2014 08:24, 76.55 KB) / Download count 343
http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/attachment.php?aid=18840

Author: subbuteo Time: 12/08/2014 11:04

Yes, a female (although I don't know what immature plumage is like). I have seen small groups (3 /4) of female FT sunbirds often on the mangrove that is flowering in Yung Shue O just now.

Dylan

Author: lukying Time: 12/08/2014 12:13

Thanks a lot. Exactly the place you mentioned!

Author: subbuteo Time: 12/08/2014 17:35

I've been watching them the past few mornings, they are really quite tame so I think they may be young birds. Nice to know someone else is keeping n eye on the area!

Dylan

Author: lrichard Time: 12/08/2014 22:02

You say there are 3-4 of them. Do they sound like Fork-tailed Sunbirds? Are there males around?

I'm asking because the habitat (mangroves) is odd, the bird in the photo is quite yellow below, and its primary projection is rather short.

The obvious possibility is Olive-backed Sunbird, but hey it's a hot summer and I'm bored and wishful.

Author: subbuteo Time: 13/08/2014 05:41

Hi Richard, I haven't seen any males and didn't notice anything particularly about the calls. I will go down and pay more attention (an take my camera too). Not much else to see at the minute!

Dylan

Author: lukying Time: 13/08/2014 18:05

I have other photos of the same bird, they may give more details.

Image Attachment: 1.jpg (13/08/2014 18:05, 76.48 KB) / Download count 347
http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/attachment.php?aid=18845

Author: lukying Time: 13/08/2014 18:07

I found only two at the same time!

Image Attachment: 2.jpg (13/08/2014 18:07, 71.84 KB) / Download count 346
http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/attachment.php?aid=18846

Author: ddavid Time: 13/08/2014 23:40

I wonder if these images aren't just of juvenile Fork-tailed Sunbird. There aren't many photos of juvs around - none on OBC, for instance. But I did find the following very useful photo from Cherry:

http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=11798

Dave

[ Last edited by ddavid at 13/08/2014 23:47 ]

Author: lrichard Time: 14/08/2014 09:01

Thanks lukying, Dylam, Dave and Cherry

Yes, the YSO bird must be a juvenile Fork-tailed Sunbird. It looks very similar to the one photographed by Cherry.

I think Olive-backed Sunbird is one to look out for in Hong Kong. It occurs in Hainan and along the coast of Guangxi and southwest Guangdong as far as Xitou (less than 300 km W of HK), where Jonathan Martinez has seen up to four on several dates in late autumn and winter.

Author: ajohn Time: 14/08/2014 14:16

I agree with juvenile Fork-tailed for these photos.
I think they will use mangroves when they are flowering. I have often seen them around flowering Aegiceras corniculatum at Mai Po.

Author: Jonathmartinez Time: 14/08/2014 17:17

I guess OB Sunbird would show in any plumage incl juvenil a dark lower mandible.
To add to Richard OBS distribution, they are breeding in Guangxi as far north as Yizhou (near the border with Guizhou.

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