Regal Sunbird Diet

Sunbirds are wild in Africa, Asia and Australasia

In North America, you won't find regal sunbirds anywhere but a zoo or aviary. These bright, colorful birds are indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Australia and surrounding areas. Their diet, features and colors are unique and examples of special adaptation. If you're looking to feed a regal sunbird, you may have trouble doing it in captivity. What they need is out in their natural habitat.

Foods

Regal sunbirds primarily eat nectar from flowers. They stick their long beaks into flowers and suckle nectar. When they can't find enough nectar, or when they are feeding their young, regal sunbirds often feed on small insects. They may also on occasion eat or extract nectar from fruit.

Features and Feeding

Much like North American hummingbirds, regal sunbirds have long, narrow, curved beaks designed perfectly for reaching into flowers and obtaining nectar. They use their brush tipped tubular tongues to better extract their food. Regal sunbirds can also beat their wings very fast and hover over flowers, although they usually perch when feeding.

Distant Cousins

As one reads about regal sunbird features, it may seem very reminiscent of hummingbirds. In fact, they are distantly related to the hummingbirds of the Americas and the honey eaters of Australia. However, it's really a very distant relationship. Scientists consider the similarities an example of convergent evolution in which two species evolve similarly because of lifestyle of feeding off nectar.

Colors

Sunbirds wouldn't have gotten their name without their bright, metallic colors. Male regal sunbirds--as with peacocks--are really the famous ones who get the attention for their bright crests. Females are often a dull brown and not as noticeable.

Keeping Sunbirds

Regal sunbirds do not make ideal pets. They do not survive on bird feed--their specialized beaks all but prevent it. They truly do best in a habitat with their native foliage--especially flowers. These may be very difficult to maintain outside of Africa. They may perhaps get by on small bugs, although that is not ideal as their only food source.

References

• Absolute Astronomy
• Jrank.org
• Birdlife.org