Streaked Spiderhunter

25th February 2017,  Fraser’s Hill, Pahang. 

Local Name:  Kelicap Jantung Gunung

Scientific Name: Arachnothera magna

Equipment: Nikon 1 V3 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8 ED-VR

Long-Billed Spiderhunter

17th May 2014, Kemensah, Selangor

Scientific Name: Arachnothera robusta Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G   What does a spiderhunter hunt……?   A mantis would also do nicely

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.

Streaked Spiderhunter

13th February 2011, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang.

One wouldn’t  want to miss the opportunity to shoot this striking Spiderhunter in Bukit Tinggi. They are quite easy to spot in the Botanical garden. Slurp  slurp!

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!

Grey-Breasted Spiderhunter

28th May 2010, Kemensah, Selangor.

I’ve seen fat birders  but never a fat bird and she’s a fat bird! Although I’ve shot  a Grey-Breasted Spiderhunter  before this  is my first for Kemensah. The streaks on her  breast are not that obvious, could she be a juvenile? Hmmmm…. a fat juvenile.

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.

Lovey Dovey : Long-Billed Spiderhunters

1st January 2010,  Kemensah, Selangor

Hanging  upside down from the ceiling is not my idea of  how to impress a lady, I’m glad that we humans do not have to do this. Well It’s different with these Spiderhunters. I’m not sure whether this is part of the mating ritual of the Long-Billed Spiderhunters or they were just flirting. The pair flew in and  clung themselves to the underside of  a banana leaf. They arched their backs and started moving their heads  left and right. One of them started hovering below and ‘kissed’ the partner with the long beak. Then they flew off- ………………….. away from  prying eyes! A Lifer.

1 4 7

2 5 8

3 6                         9

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.

Grey –Breasted Spiderhunter

14th November 2009, Taman Rimba Ampang, Selangor

Lifer: A Grey-Breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera affinis) made frequent visits to this flowering tree for her  nectar . It was quite dark and it started to rain so avoiding motion blur with quite low shutter speeds was a challenge in itself.   Insects  were competing for the nectar

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.

Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, 16th May 2009

Went to Bukit Tinggi on Saturday 16/05/2009 with my brother ,Rosman, and my son Ilyas to try out an new birding location. It wasn't very far ( approx. 35 min) from my place in Tmn. Melawati.
Tongue-licking good! This Streaked Spiderhunter ( local name: Kelicap Jantung Pisang) was really enjoying her fresh supply of nectar. Photographs taken in the Botanical Garden.
	She relishes publicity. She just sat there while the cameras were snapping .

 

	Silver–Breasted Broadbill. She was flying in and out bringing food to her chicks.

Orchaceous Bulbul looking for insects in between the flower petals. (Japanese Garden).

I’m quite satisfied with the results of the outing. All species were lifers to me.