Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker
Encyclopedia
The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum) is a species of passerine bird in the flowerpecker family Dicaeidae. Sexually dimorphic, the male has navy blue upperparts with a bright red streak down its back from its crown to its tail coverts, while the female and juvenile are predominantly olive green. It is found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and occasionally gardens in a number of countries throughout South and East Asia.
in 1758 in the 10th edition
of his work Systema Naturae
, with the binomial name of Certhia cruentata among the treecreeper
s. It was later reclassified into the flowerpecker genus Dicaeum
. The specific epithet cruentatum 'bloodstained' is derived from the Latin
verb crǔentare 'to stain with blood'. Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA of 70% of flowerpecker species showed the Scarlet-backed and Black-fronted Flowerpecker
(D. igniferum) - which is endemic to the Indonesian Lesser Sunda Islands
- to be each other's closest relative; the males of both species have red plumage on their backs.
. The male has a navy blue face, wings and tail, with a broad bright red stripe from its crown to its upper tail coverts. The female is predominantly olive green with a black tail and scarlet upper tail coverts and rump. Both sexes have creamy white underparts, black eyes and legs, and a dark grey arched bill. The juvenile has plumage similar to the female but has an orange bill and lacks the bright red rump.
In the north of its range, it is found in southeastern China to Fujian
(as the subspecies Dicaeum c. cruentatum). It has been recorded from both native and plantation forest in West Bengal in India.
in Singapore. It visits
Syzygium jambos in urban Hong Kong.
Taxonomy
The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker was originally described by LinnaeusCarolus Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus , also known after his ennoblement as , was a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of binomial nomenclature. He is known as the father of modern taxonomy, and is also considered one of the fathers of modern ecology...
in 1758 in the 10th edition
10th edition of Systema Naturae
The 10th edition of Systema Naturae was a book written by Carl Linnaeus and published in two volumes in 1758 and 1759, which marks the starting point of zoological nomenclature...
of his work Systema Naturae
Systema Naturae
The book was one of the major works of the Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician Carolus Linnaeus. The first edition was published in 1735...
, with the binomial name of Certhia cruentata among the treecreeper
Treecreeper
The treecreepers are a family, Certhiidae, of small passerine birds, widespread in wooded regions of the Northern Hemisphere and sub-Saharan Africa. The family contains ten species in two genera, Certhia and Salpornis...
s. It was later reclassified into the flowerpecker genus Dicaeum
Dicaeum
Dicaeum is a genus of birds in the flowerpecker family, a group of passerines tropical southern Asia and Australasia from India east to the Philippines and south to Australia...
. The specific epithet cruentatum 'bloodstained' is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
verb crǔentare 'to stain with blood'. Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA of 70% of flowerpecker species showed the Scarlet-backed and Black-fronted Flowerpecker
Black-fronted Flowerpecker
The Black-fronted Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family. It is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. ...
(D. igniferum) - which is endemic to the Indonesian Lesser Sunda Islands
Lesser Sunda Islands
The Lesser Sunda Islands or Nusa Tenggara are a group of islands in the southern Maritime Southeast Asia, north of Australia. Together with the Greater Sunda Islands to the west they make up the Sunda Islands...
- to be each other's closest relative; the males of both species have red plumage on their backs.
Description
Measuring 9 cm (3.5 in) and weighing 7 to 8 g (0.246917734735784 to 0.282191696840896 oz), the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker is a small bird with a short tail. It exhibits sexual dimorphismSexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
. The male has a navy blue face, wings and tail, with a broad bright red stripe from its crown to its upper tail coverts. The female is predominantly olive green with a black tail and scarlet upper tail coverts and rump. Both sexes have creamy white underparts, black eyes and legs, and a dark grey arched bill. The juvenile has plumage similar to the female but has an orange bill and lacks the bright red rump.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. No global population studies have been undertaken; it is thought to be common throughout most of its range particular in Thailand, although it is considered rare in Bhutan and Nepal. It is found up to 1000 m (3500 ft), in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, wooded areas and gardens.In the north of its range, it is found in southeastern China to Fujian
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
(as the subspecies Dicaeum c. cruentatum). It has been recorded from both native and plantation forest in West Bengal in India.
Feeding
It has been observed feeding on the figs of Ficus fistulosa and F. grossularoides in Bukit Timah Nature ReserveBukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
in Singapore. It visits
Syzygium jambos in urban Hong Kong.