Capturing the Little Spiderhunter

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

 I have been on the hunt for the Little Spiderhunter for a period of a week from 22 - 31 August'16.  It is a very cheerful and lively bird.  In order to get close to the bird I had built a small hideout close to the Yellow Ixora bush which it visited daily over the last week, (and I guess many more weeks to come).  I believe this bird is a permanent resident of the park.  Other plants that naturally attract it are the various Heliconia species, the Shrubby Dillenia, Chinese Hat plant and Red Hibiscus to mention but a few.  I noticed that the bird comes a calling at the Yellow Ixora bush on almost every hour of the day, starting as early as 7.00 am till around 5.30 pm.  Here are some better images that I have managed to capture for the week 22 - 31 August'16.

Sipping the nectar from the Yellow Ixora flowers
Zone C

At the Chinese Hat plant (Holmskioldia sanguinea)

After the bees and nectar

Blue-throated Bee-eater (

 I started early this morning to do a little bit of birding at the park, between 8.00 - 9.00 am.  I went to three birding look-out points.  At the Cempedak point (Zone G) I encountered two Blue-throated Bee-eaters.  They were having a field day chasing and catching bees.  From the perches they organised many sorties and after catching them in mid-air rushed to the branches to batter their prey.  The bee-eaters are a regular visitor to the park.  Everyday they would pass the place to go southerly towards Tatau and in the evening would return using the same route.  At Heliconia point (Zone C) I was rewarded with a sporting Little Spiderhunter.  She gave me the opportunity for a photoshoot session.  Hiding behind the Sawit or oil palm  tree I was able to take images at close range using my Nikon D5100.  The Little Spiderhunter was at the Heliconia 'Sexy Pink'  to have a go at the nectar.  Obviously she succeeded well in her job.  Finally I walked up to one of the hilly areas at the park i.e. Zone I where two Hill Mynas were happily getting ready to go out for a shopping spree in the close neighbourhood and far beyond.  I know they would only return by evening time to their 'temporary hole' called home at their favourite dead but standing tall tree.

Little Spiderhunter at Heliconia 'Sexy Pink'

Hill Myna

The regular Little Spiderhunter

Little Spiderhunter at Ixora coccinea shrub, Zone C.

 Today the Little Spiderhunter visited the Yellow Ixora shrub many times to enjoy the sweet nectar..  Just like the other day the Little Spiderhunter came by the ixora shrub many times to allow for a photoshoot session.  What was interesting in the last photoshoot session was to see the bird pulling away the style from the tube to have a taste of the nectar.  The full story is here.

Notes: The above pictures were taken today, 6 October,2014.  Time: 1000 hrs - 1030 hrs.

A female Crimson Sunbird and a Little Spiderhunter

Eastern Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)

Eastern Crimson Sunbird - female
in delightful mood

 Most fortunate today to come across the female Eastern Crimson Sunbird.  It was seen flirting around with the male among the branches.  Suddenly it perched above me.  I swung my camera and got the female in happy mode.  Slightly later I waited patiently for the Little Spiderhunter at the yellow ixora bush.  It too was in a delightful mood.  It enjoyed taking the nectar from the ixora flowers.  The moment she saw me in clear sight she made one last call and off she went.
Time : 9.30 - 10.30 am, Location: Zone C

Little Spiderhunnter (Arachnochera longirostra)

In-flight and upside down serving

Yellow-vented Bulbul  - in-flight serving

 The Ong Lumok tree and the Heliconia Sexy Pink  have specific appeal to the birds.  The Ong Lumok ( Artocarpus odoratissimus) has soft, sweet and pulpy flesh.  Today a Yellow-vented Bulbul visited the over-ripe fruit.  It hoovered close to the fruit and then settled down for breakfast.  At the Heliconia Valley I chanced upon a Little Spiderhunter  that busies itself on getting a sip at the nectar.  It used a shortcut.  With its long curved beak it pierced the flower base to reach directly at the nectar.  Well, birds do work smart!

Ong Lumok tree bearing ripe and over-ripe fruits.  Over ripe ones turn brownish.
Zone C, Kambatik Park, Bintulu.

Little Spiderhunter at the Heliconia Sexy Pink

Upside down serving..