Pale-billed Flowerpecker

The Pale-billed Flowerpecker, also known as Tickell's Flowerpecker, is a diminutive avian species, measuring a mere 8 cm in length. It is one of the smallest birds found across southern India and Sri Lanka. Exhibiting a rather unassuming plumage, the bird is cloaked in shades of brownish to olive green, with the underside presenting a buff olive hue that seamlessly blends with the upperparts.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing this species from its congeners can be done by noting its pinkish, curved beak, which is a unique feature within its range. Unlike the Nilgiri Flowerpecker, it lacks a pale supercilium and is not streaked like the Thick-billed Flowerpecker. The Sri Lankan subspecies, known as ceylonense, is slightly greyer and smaller than the nominate race found in peninsular India.

Habitat

The Pale-billed Flowerpecker is a versatile inhabitant, thriving in both forested areas and urban gardens, particularly those that are adorned with berry-bearing trees.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and western Myanmar. It is a common sight, especially in urban settings where it has adapted remarkably well.

Behaviour

In their natural forested habitats, Pale-billed Flowerpeckers are often observed visiting the flowers of Loranthus and Viscum species. They play a crucial role in seed dispersal for these epiphytic parasites. The seeds, swallowed whole, pass rapidly through their digestive system and are excreted with a sticky coating, which the birds then wipe onto branches, facilitating germination. In urban areas, they adapt by feeding on introduced fruit trees such as Muntingia calabura, sipping nectar from flowers, and thus pollinating them.

Song & Calls

The Pale-billed Flowerpecker communicates with a rapid chipping call, a sound that is as brisk as the bird itself.

Breeding

Breeding season for these birds spans from February to June, with a possibility of a second brood in September. Their nests are small, pendant structures, artfully crafted from cobwebs, fibre, moss, and down. Suspended from the tips of twigs, these nests house a clutch of two to three eggs.

Similar Species

The Nilgiri Flowerpecker and the Thick-billed Flowerpecker share the same geographical range but can be differentiated by their respective markings and beak shapes.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Pale-billed Flowerpecker consists primarily of nectar and berries. They have adapted to both natural and introduced food sources, displaying versatility in their feeding habits.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Pale-billed Flowerpecker as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival at present.