Home › Aves › Nectariniidae › Vigors's Sunbird (Aethopyga vigorsii)
SPECIES PROFILE
Vigors's Sunbird (Aethopyga vigorsii)
Aethopyga
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Endemic to Western Ghats India
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Forests gardens at higher elevations
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Nectariniidae
GENUS
Aethopyga
📋 Description
SIZE
10-12 cm long 6-10 g
COLORATION
Males scarlet with purple throat females olive-green
ADAPTATIONS
Long curved bill for nectar feeding agile hovering
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Forests gardens at higher elevations
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Endemic to Western Ghats India
REPRODUCTION
Lays 2 eggs in hanging nests incubated 13-15 days
DIET DETAILS
Nectar insects spiders
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss climate change
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Scarlet Sippers: Vigors's Sunbirds hover with 8-gram bodies sipping 5 grams of nectar daily in Kerala's hills. Males' scarlet plumage is vibrant.
2
Endemic Pollinators: These sunbirds cover 1000 sq km in Tamil Nadu's high elevations nesting in mossy branches. Habitat fragmentation threatens their range.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
Silent Valley National Park in Kerala
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Higher elevations ensure visibility for spotting sunbirds
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch Vigors's sunbirds hovering near flowering plants in hills
