Little Spiderhunter

10th June 2012, , Kemensah , Selangor

Local Name: Kelicap Jantung Kecil Scientific Name: Arachnothera longirostra.

Little Spiderhunter

2nd May 2011, Kemensah, Selangor

A confiding Spiderhunter making her round of the banana trees, getting her supply of fresh juicy nectar.

Arachnothera Galore

20th March 2011, Kemensah, Selangor

There are five species of Spiderhunters that can be seen here and on this day four species had decided to spend their morning  slurping nectar in one small area of an orchard deep inside Kemensah. 1. The Yellow-Eared Spiderhunter (Arachnothera  chrysogenys)  , with the yellow ear coverts!   2.  The Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera  flavigaster), they are the largest  of the Spiderhunters. Easily identifiable by their broad eyerings 3.  The Grey-Breasted Spiderhunter  (Arachnothera affinis). This one was resting on a palm frond after she was chased away by the Spectacled Spiderhunter.   4.  The Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)  drying herself in the morning sunshine. Yes, she is the little one compared to the others. Only the Long-Billed Spiderhunters were absent which  would  have otherwise  made it a full house.

One Fruiting Tree

12th February 2011, Kemensah , Selangor

The same tree that attracted the Scaly-breasted Bulbuls  was also a magnet for other birds A pair of Gold-Whiskered Barbet  couldn’t resist the temptation of  the succulent fruits (managed to shoot one) A male Greater Green Leafbird A male Asian Fairy Bluebird  brought the other half A female Asian Fairy Bluebird A Buff-Vented Bulbul Crimson-Breasted Flowerpecker This Little Spiderhunter stopped momentarily on the tree and then flew to a nearby Bamboo, I guess she qualifies!

Little Spiderhunter

Lately they are  quite easy to spot, must be a lot of them around. I’m still wondering why they are called spiderhunters. Do they actually hunt and feed on spiders coz I’ve yet to see one with a spider between the bill.

Little Spiderhunter, Yellow-Bellied Warbler

21st November 2009, Kemensah, Selangor A Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra) cleaning her beak after  her rounds of collecting nectar. Maintenance has to be tip-top.

This Yellow-Bellied Warbler (Abroscopus superciliaris) was on the same Bamboo tree as the Spiderhunter. Maybe I’ll get a better shot next time round.

Two Spiderhunters , Little & Large

21 June 2009, Kemensah, Selangor Took this photo of a Spiderhunter resting on a branch. Didn’t bother to confirm the ID thinking that it was a Spectacled Spiderhunter which I normally see in Kemensah. Upon further review, I’m almost certain that it’s a Little Spiderhunter (in which case , a lifer).

1. A Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra). Looks like she’s carrying an injury to the right shoulder but she seemed alright when she flew off after this shot was taken.

2. A rather robust looking Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster) photographed in March 2009. Quite a large bird, probably the largest among the Spiderhunters.

On a more technical note, the Little Spiderhunter was shot using the Nikon D90 whereas the Spectacled Spiderhunter on the D80 using the same lens. The difference in clarity and noise level are very distinct. I think it was well worth the money spent on upgrading to the D90.