Little Spiderhunter

The Little Spiderhunter, scientifically known as Arachnothera longirostra, is a captivating bird with a notably elongated bill, a characteristic that distinguishes it from other sunbirds. Both males and females exhibit similar plumage, which is not commonly seen in their sunbird relatives.

Identification Tips

To identify the Little Spiderhunter, look for its distinctive long beak. The male's beak is entirely black, while the female has a slightly paler base on the lower mandible. These birds are often spotted near their preferred nectar sources, such as wild Musaceae or garden flowers.

Habitat

The Little Spiderhunter thrives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and moist montane forests. They are typically found below the canopy and are also known to frequent gardens, lured by the promise of nectar-rich flowers.

Distribution

This species has a wide range across South and Southeast Asia, with sightings in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In India, they are found in both the Eastern and Western Ghats, as well as the northeastern regions extending into Southeast Asia.

Behaviour

The Little Spiderhunter is a solitary or sometimes paired bird, known for its "tzeck" call when disturbed or foraging. They are excellent pollinators, visiting a variety of plants such as wild bananas, gingers, and others like Loranthus, Bombax malabaricum, and Erythrina indica. While they adapt well to secondary forests and human-disturbed areas, they have disappeared from some fragmented forests.

Song & Calls

The Little Spiderhunter's call is a distinctive buzzy "zick-zick," and its song consists of a series of rapid chipping notes that can continue for extended periods.

Breeding

Breeding season varies by region, with northeastern India seeing activity from March to September, and southern India from December to August. The species typically lays two eggs per clutch. Their nests are ingeniously constructed under broad leaves, using cobwebs and vegetable fiber to create a secure cup.

Similar Species

The Little Spiderhunter may be confused with other sunbirds due to its nectar-feeding habits, but its long beak is a distinguishing feature.

Diet and Feeding

Nectar forms the primary component of the Little Spiderhunter's diet, and they are known to be good pollinators for various plant species.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Little Spiderhunter as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face any significant threats to its survival.