Each bird plays an important role in nature, such as the sriganti sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis). This species of sunbird, belonging to the Nectariniidae family, has males measuring about 10-11.5 cm in length and weighing 6.7-11.9 grams, while the females are typically smaller, weighing only about 6-10 grams.
What sets them apart is their sharp, long beak and wingbeats that can reach up to 90 beats per second. They are capable of flying at speeds up to 54 km/h and can even fly backward and make sharp turns. In fact, the sriganti sunbird is one of the few bird species that can perform hovering flight patterns.
As suggested by its name, the sriganti sunbird primarily feeds on nectar, but it also consumes small insects and spiders. These birds can be found in a variety of habitats, from lowland open forests to mountain areas at elevations up to 1,700 meters above sea level.
Globally, 21 subspecies of the sriganti sunbird have been identified. Each subspecies exhibits slight variations in color and morphology, depending on its geographical region. Some well-known subspecies include Cinnyris jugularis andamanicus in the Andaman Islands, Cinnyris jugularis woodi in the Sulu Islands in southern Philippines, and Cinnyris jugularis ornatus, which spans Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Bali, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
These sunbirds typically live in small groups and are migratory, though they build their own nests. Their nests are often found hanging among leaves or branches. Building their nest requires meticulous effort, weaving grass and alang-alang cotton to create a pouch-like structure with an entrance hole on one side.
During the breeding season, the male actively courts the female with a “dance,” displaying its feathers and singing loudly. When the female is interested, the male invites her to visit a special location that will later become their nesting site. However, when it’s time to build the nest, the female takes the lead. She is busy turning over and arranging nesting materials, weaving them together until the nest is complete and ready for use.
This sunbird, also commonly called sogok ontong (or sogon), plays a crucial role in the ecosystem as a pollinator. While feeding on nectar, the bird’s head touches the reproductive parts of flowers, transferring pollen from one flower to another. Through its pollination efforts, the sriganti sunbird contributes to the diversity of flowering plants in its habitat. This is beneficial to various other organisms that rely on flowering plants for food and shelter.
Similar knowledge is shared in a 2023 journal by J. Prihatini about rural communities in the Cisokan Hulu River Basin, who still have a deep understanding of various local bird species. One piece of knowledge highlights that all species from the Nectariniidae family are considered ecologically beneficial because they assist in pollinating various plant species.
Despite its important role in pollination, the sriganti sunbird faces threats. Its loud call and beautiful plumage often attract human attention. Because of its beauty, these birds are frequently traded in both physical bird markets and online.
The high demand from bird enthusiasts has led to the rampant practice of buying and selling these sunbirds, which in turn causes illegal hunting. This poses a serious threat to the population of these pollinators.
A survey conducted at the Sukahaji Bird Market in Bandung in 2016 (Chng et al.) revealed that a significant number of sriganti sunbirds were sold. The increasing popularity of this bird among bird owners and participants in bird singing competitions has fueled the trade. Its stunning plumage and melodic song make it highly desirable, with some bird enthusiasts considering the sriganti sunbird’s song superior to that of other species like canaries and green magpies.
The price of a sriganti sunbird varies. For juveniles, the price ranges from Rp20,000 to Rp50,000 each. In recent years, both the sriganti sunbird and the “ninja hummingbird” or kolibri ninja have become extremely popular among bird owners and competition participants. Almost every bird singing competition includes a class for these birds.
Its loud, sharp, and close-knit song makes it highly sought after as a “trainer” for other songbirds, and even as a competition bird in its own right. It’s no surprise that these birds are becoming more frequently sought after for private keeping and inclusion in bird competitions. The illegal trade represents a significant threat to their population and the vital ecological role they play.
Article by Ivanna Febrissa