Friday 2 September 2011

Purple-rumped Sunbird


This Purple-rumped Sunbird male comes regularly to sit outside my room's window. After doing so, it would deliver a low, rhythmic call for a while. (That's when I go to grab my camera.) Soon, it would start a fight with its own reflection. It does this by pecking at the window while hovering. This would go on and on throughout the day at regular intervals, with a clear combat peak at midday. Sunbirds, like their American cousins hummingbirds, are quite territorial and males have very little tolerance towards rivals in their patch. I feel pity for this bird, as it spends a considerable time of the day in this wasteful behaviour. I think I may have to cover the window from outside as a last resort!

11 comments:

silent moments said...

Or attach a guard to its beak ! :)

maybe its trying to chase the creature behind the window :D

Nice shot btw, these guys are always on the go and very difficult to get a decent picture.

Amila Salgado said...

Hola, Patali.
I removed the yellow line and this seemed to have done the trick! But, by mother is not all that happy about it, as she uses the line to dry the washing. Big sunny patches are rare in my garden.

Sunita Mohan said...

One of my favourite birds! Love that pic.!
As for the window-attack, it's probably hinting at you to stop spying on him ;D

Amila Salgado said...

Thanks, Sunita.
Probably. :)
I can let you know that the attacking has reduced a great deal now.

Stuart Price said...

A pretty good bird to come to the window, even if it attacks it.........

Amila Salgado said...

Stu, yeah. It's got more iridescence and this picture does not do much justice.

Janith said...

Pretty, that bird. :D Missed reading about your adventures, Amila! :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

We have lots of them. I know his name thanks to you..

flowergirl said...

(Sulk, sulk) And he sits still for you but not for me. Lovely shot!

Did you see my sunbird poem?

http://madraswanderer.blogspot.com/2011/07/purple-sunbirds.html

And then of course there were some that were captured by Mr Ramanan:

http://madraswanderer.blogspot.com/2011/07/purple-sunbirds.html

Amila Salgado said...

@Chavie,
Thanks, man. I have been in the jungles in the last few weeks and am back in my base now. I hope to breach my silence soon.

@K,
Thank you. Nice to know that.

@Flowergirl,
Thanks for your comment and for those links. I will explore them soon.

Anonymous said...

A paper on the topic of birds interacting with their reflection has just been published in Ornithological Observations, a semi-scientific e-journal published by BirdLife South Africa and the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town. The paper also features a reference to this post! You can download the it here http://oo.adu.org.za/content.php?id=83

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