15 Sunbirds Of Vietnam

Sunbird of Vietnam – Pellorneidae

With 15 species Sunbirds of Vietnam, occurring over the country. The Sunbird family is the most colorful Bird family in Vietnam moreover they have the speed of flapping wings that no other species can catch up.

You may know: More than 90% of photographers come to Vietnam is really love the challenge to take Sunbirds photos.

The overview of Sunbirds families

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters make up the family Nectariniidae of passerine birds. They are small, slender passerines from the Old World, usually with downward-curved bills. Many are brightly colored, often with iridescent feathers, particularly in the males. Many species also have especially long tail feathers. Their range extends through most of Africa to the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and southern China, to Indonesia, New Guinea, and northern Australia. Species diversity is highest in equatorial regions.

There are 145 species in 16 genera. Most sunbirds feed largely on nectar, but will also eat insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young. Flowers that prevent access to their nectar because of their shape (for example, very long and narrow flowers) are simply punctured at the base near the nectaries, from which the birds sip the nectar. Fruit is also part of the diet of some species. Their flight is fast and direct, thanks to their short wings.

The Sunbirds have counterparts in two very distantly related groups: the Hummingbirds of the Americas and the honeyeaters of Australia. The resemblances are due to convergent evolution brought about by a similar nectar-feeding lifestyle. Some Sunbird species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but they usually perch to feed.

Sunbirds of Vietnam species note

Mrs Gould’s Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae

Status: Uncommon resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tour cover: Highland

Hotspot: Dalat, Kontum, Sa Pa

Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis

Status: Local Common Resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Throughout

Hotspot: Tram Chim, Can Gio, Cat Tien

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja

Status: Common resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Throughout

Hotspot: Cat Tien, Tan Phu, Dalat

Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna

Status: Local Common resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Exclude Southern

Hotspot: Dalat, Phong Nha, Sa Pa

Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus

Status: Uncommon resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: South & Central Highlands

Hotspot: Yok Don

Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis

Status: Uncommon resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Highlands

Hotspot: Kon Tum, Sa Pa

Fork-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga christinae

Status: Common Resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Exclude South Vietnam

Hotspot: Cuc Phuong, Ba Vi, Tam Dao

Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha

Status: Local Common Resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Jun-Aug

Tours: Southern

Hotspot: Ma Da, Tan Phu, Tram Chim

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird Leptocoma brasiliana

Status: Rare breeding visitor (W Tonkin, S Annam, Cochinchina)

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Hotspot: Ma Da, Tan Phu, Tram Chim

List of all Sunbirds in Vietnam

All Vietnam Birds Families