Wildlifeof Bhutan
Mrs. Gould's Sunbird
Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers & Leafbirds
Photo: (c) Wang (Tom) ZiYi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Aethopyga gouldiae
Basic stats
Diet
Nectar; also spiders, small beetles and hemipteran nymphs (in Sichuan and Yunnan)
Habitat
Evergreen broad-leaved forest, monsoon forest and deciduous broad-leaved forest at 1,000–3,500m
Range
Eastern Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, northern Thailand, India (Jammu to Arunachal Pradesh), Pakistan, Vietnam and southern China
Clutch size
2–3 eggs
Size
Male 131–160mm; female 91–111mm
Weight
Male 4–12g; female 5–8g
Gould's sunbird is a sunbird native to forests and shrublands from the southern foothills of the Himalayas to Southeast Asia. The male weighs 4 to 12g and measures 131 to 160mm, the female 5 to 8g and 91 to 111mm. The male is bright and colourful, with the lores, ear-coverts, nape, mantle and sides bright red to deep scarlet, a yellowish-green belly and vent and a bright blue tail covert fading to dark purple; the female is dull (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is found at 1,000 to 3,500m in evergreen broad-leaved, monsoon and deciduous broad-leaved forest, and is generally resident but may make small seasonal movements. It is usually solitary or in pairs, with temporary groups of three to five or more. It feeds on nectar, with a down-curved, pointed beak. Calls include a high thin 'tzeeee' and a sharp 'tzit', and the clutch is two or three eggs.
Quick answers
- What does the Mrs. Gould's Sunbird eat?
- Nectar; also spiders, small beetles and hemipteran nymphs (in Sichuan and Yunnan)
- What habitat does the Mrs. Gould's Sunbird live in?
- Evergreen broad-leaved forest, monsoon forest and deciduous broad-leaved forest at 1,000–3,500m
- Where is the Mrs. Gould's Sunbird found?
- Eastern Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, northern Thailand, India (Jammu to Arunachal Pradesh), Pakistan, Vietnam and southern China
- How many eggs does the Mrs. Gould's Sunbird lay?
- 2–3 eggs
- How big is the Mrs. Gould's Sunbird?
- Male 131–160mm; female 91–111mm
- How much does the Mrs. Gould's Sunbird weigh?
- Male 4–12g; female 5–8g