General
Information is from dictionaries and other sources. Comments and corrections welcome. Hover over Green Lettering Green lettering at this site hides a tool tip with glosses, further explanations, etc. Hover cursor to reveal. to see additional information.
The general names of the two groups of birds belonging to the Nectariniidae are both derived from names for the banana flower, with which they are often associated:
1. The sunbirds are known as นกกินปลี nók kin-plii 'bananaflower-eater (bird)'.
2. The spiderhunters as นกปลีกล้วย nók plii-klûay 'bananaflower bird' or นกกินปลีกล้วย nók kin plii-klûay 'bananaflower-eater (bird)'.
Bananas are native to Southeast Asia and many kinds are grown for food. They also provide food and shelter for many kinds of wildlife, including the sunbirds and spiderhunters.
There are old Thai names for various different parts of these important plants. The general name for both the fruit and the plant is กล้วย klûay 'banana'. The complex flower spike (or spadix) of the plant is collectively referred to as ปลี plii, which can be conveniently translated as 'bananaflower' although it is technically a cluster of many small flowers. The flower of the banana-tree may also be called ปลีกล้วย plii-klûay, literally 'banana-bananaflower', as seen in the names of the spiderhunters.
Species names
SCIENTIFIC & WESTERN |
THAI |
OTHER S. E. ASIAN |
EAST ASIAN |
|||||
| Arachnothera | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
Arachnothera crassirostris |
Thick-billed spiderhunter | นกปลีกล้วยปากหนา nók plii-klûay pàak-năa 'thick-billed banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Paruh Tebal 'thick-billed banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung Pijantung Kampung 'village banana-flower bird' |
厚嘴捕蛛鸟 (厚嘴捕蛛鳥) 'thick-billed spider-catching bird' |
ハシブトクモカリドリ (嘴太蜘蛛狩り鳥) hashi-buto kumo-kari-dori 'thick-billed spider-hunting bird' |
||
| Arachnothera robusta |
Long-billed spiderhunter | นกปลีกล้วยปากยาว nók plii-klûay pàak-yaaw 'long-billed banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Paruh Panjang 'long-billed banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung Pijantung Besar 'large banana-flower bird' |
纹胸捕蛛鸟 (紋胸捕蛛鳥) 'fine-pattern-breasted spider-catching bird' (4) 长嘴捕蛛鸟 (長嘴捕蛛鳥) 'long-billed spider-catching bird' (5) (Conflicts with A. longirostra) |
オオハシナガクモカリドリ (大嘴長蜘蛛狩り鳥) ō hashi-naga kumo-kari-dori 'large long-billed spider-hunting bird' |
||
| Arachnothera longirostra Arachnothera longirostris |
Little spiderhunter White-throated spider hunter |
นกปลีกล้วยเล็ก nók plii-klûay lék 'small banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Kecil 'small banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (26, 27) Burung Kelicap Jantung 'banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24) |
Burung Pijantung Kecil 'small banana-flower bird |
Chim Bắp chuối mỏ dài 'long-billed banana-flower bird' (12, 34) |
长嘴捕蛛鸟 (長嘴捕蛛鳥) 'long-billed spider-catching bird' (1, 2, 3, 4) 小捕蛛鸟 (小捕蛛鳥) 'small spider-catching bird' (5) |
ハシナガクモカリドリ (嘴長蜘蛛狩り鳥) hashi-naga kumo-kari-dori 'long-billed spider-hunting bird' |
|
| Arachnothera chrysogenys |
Yellow-eared spiderhunter Lesser yellow-eared spiderhunter |
นกปลีกล้วยหูเหลืองเล็ก nók plii-klûay hŭu-lĕuaŋ lék 'small yellow-eared banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Telinga Kuning 'yellow-eared banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung Pijantung Telinga-kuning 'yellow-eared banana-flower bird' |
Chim Bắp chuối má vàng 'yellow-cheeked banana-flower bird' (12) |
小黄耳捕蛛鸟 (小黃耳捕蛛鳥) 'small yellow-eared spider-catching bird' |
キミミクモカリドリ (黄耳蜘蛛狩り鳥) ki-mimi kumo-kari-dori 'yellow-eared spider-hunting bird' |
|
| Arachnothera magna |
Streaked spiderhunter Streaked spider hunter |
นกปลีกล้วยลาย nók plii-klûay laay striped banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Gunung 'mountain banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Chim Bắp chuối đốm đen 'black-spotted banana-flower bird' (12, 34) |
纹背捕蛛鸟 (紋背捕蛛鳥) 'fine-pattern-backed spider-catching bird' |
タテジマクモカリドリ (竪縞蜘蛛狩り鳥) tate-jima kumo-kari-dori 'vertical-striped spider-hunting bird' |
||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Arachnothera flavigaster |
Spectacled spiderhunter Greater yellow-eared spiderhunter |
นกปลีกล้วยหูเหลืองใหญ่ nók plii-klûay hŭu-lĕuaŋ yày 'large yellow-eared banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Besar 'large banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung Pijantung Tasmak 'spectacled banana-flower bird' (tesmak or tasmak from Persian) |
Chim Bắp chuối bụng vàng 'yellow-bellied banana-flower bird' (12) |
大黄耳捕蛛鸟 (大黃耳捕蛛鳥) 'large yellow-eared spider-catching bird' |
オオキミミクモカリドリ (大黄耳蜘蛛狩り鳥) ō ki-mimi kumo-kari-dori 'large yellow-eared spider-hunting bird' |
|
| Arachnothera modesta | Grey-breasted Spiderhunter | นกปลีกล้วยท้องเทา nók plii-klûay tʰóaaŋ-tʰaw grey-bellied banana-flower bird' |
Burung Kelicap Jantung Bukit 'hill banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26) Burung Kelicap Jantung Dada Kelabu 'grey-breasted banana-flower twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (27) |
Burung Pijantung Gunung 'mountain banana-flower bird' |
Arachnothera affinis (12): Chim Bắp chuối bụng xám 'grey-bellied banana-flower bird' (12, 34) |
灰胸捕蛛鸟 (灰胸捕蛛鳥) 'grey-breasted spider-catching bird' (4) |
ハイムネクモカリドリ (灰胸蜘蛛狩り鳥) hai-mune kumo-kari-dori 'long-billed spider-hunting bird' |
|
| Kurochkinegramma | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Kurochkinegramma hypogrammicum Hypogramma hypogrammicum Nectarinia hypogrammica |
Purple-naped sunbird Blue-naped sunbird |
นกกินปลีท้ายทอยน้ำเงิน nók kin-plii tʰáay-tʰoaay-nám-ŋoen 'blue-naped bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Rimba 'jungle twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Rimba 'jungle honey-bird' |
Chim Hút mật bụng vạch 'line-bellied nectar-sucking bird' (12, 34) |
蓝枕花蜜鸟 (藍枕花蜜鳥) 'blue-naped nectar bird' |
ムナフタイヨウチョウ (胸斑太陽鳥) muna-fu taiyō-chō 'stripe-breasted sun-bird' |
|
| Chalcoparia | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Chalcoparia singalensis Anthreptes singalensis |
Ruby-cheeked sunbird Rubycheek |
นกกินปลีแก้มสีทับทิม nók kin-plii kâeem-sĭi-tʰáp-tʰim 'ruby-cheeked bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Pipi Merah 'red-cheeked twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (26, 27) Burung Kelicap Belukar 'thicket twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24) |
Burung-madu Belukar 'thicket honey-bird' |
Chim Hút mật bụng hung 'reddish-bellied nectar-sucking bird' (12) |
紫颊太阳鸟 (紫頰太陽鳥) 'purple-cheeked sun-bird' (2, 4) 紫颊直嘴太阳鸟 (紫頰直嘴太陽鳥) 'purple-cheeked straight-billed sun-bird' (1, 3, 5) |
ホオアカコバシタイヨウチョウ (頬赤小嘴太陽鳥) hō-aka ko-bashi taiyō-chō 'red-cheeked small-billed sun-bird' |
|
| Anthreptes | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Anthreptes simplex |
Plain sunbird Plain-coloured sunbird |
นกกินปลีสีเรียบ nók kin-plii sĭi-rîap 'plain bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Kelabu 'grey twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Polos 'plain honey-bird' |
纯色食蜜鸟 (純色食蜜鳥) 'pure-coloured nectar-eating bird' (4) 纯色直嘴太阳鸟 (純色直嘴太陽鳥) 'pure-coloured straight-billed sun-bird' (5, 10) |
オリーブコバシタイヨウチョウ (オリーブ小嘴太陽鳥) oriibu ko-bashi taiyō-chō 'olive small-billed sun-bird' |
||
| Anthreptes malacensis |
Brown-throated sunbird Plain-throated sunbird |
นกกินปลีคอสีน้ำตาล nók kin-plii kʰoaa-sĭi-nám-taan 'brown-necked bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Mayang Kelapa 'coconut-palm-blossom twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Kelapa 'coconut-palm honey-bird' |
Chim Hút mật họng nâu 'brown-throated nectar-sucking bird' (12, 34) |
褐喉食蜜鸟 (褐喉食蜜鳥) 'brown-throated nectar-eating bird' (4) 褐喉直嘴太阳鸟 (褐喉直嘴太陽鳥) 'brown-throated straight-billed sun-bird' (5, 10) |
チャノドコバシタイヨウチョウ (茶喉小嘴太陽鳥) cha-nodo ko-bashi taiyō-chō 'brown-throated small-billed sun-bird' |
|
| Anthreptes rhodolaemus Anthreptes rhodolaema |
Red-throated sunbird Rufous-throated sunbird |
นกกินปลีคอสีน้ำตาลแดง nók kin-plii kʰoaa-sĭi-nám-taan-daeeŋ 'red-brown-necked bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Pinang 'areca-palm twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Leher-merah 'red-necked honey-bird' |
棕喉食蜜鸟 (棕喉食蜜鳥) 'reddishbrown-throated nectar-eating bird' (4) 棕喉直嘴太阳鸟 (棕喉直嘴太陽鳥) 'reddishbrown-throated straight-billed sun-bird' (5) |
ノドアカコバシタイヨウチョウ (喉赤小嘴太陽鳥) nodo-aka ko-bashi taiyō-chō 'red-throated small-billed sun-bird' |
||
| Leptocoma | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Leptocoma sperata Nectarinia sperata |
Purple-throated sunbird Van Hasselt's sunbird |
นกกินปลีคอสีม่วง nók kin-plii kʰoaa-sĭi-mûaŋ 'purple-necked bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Nibong 'nibong-palm twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (nibong or nibung palm is a kind of mangrove palm) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Pengantin 'bridal honey-bird' |
Chim Hút mật họng hồng 'rosy-throated nectar-sucking bird' (12, 34) |
紫喉花蜜鸟 (紫喉花蜜鳥) 'purple-throated nectar bird' (4) 万赫氏花蜜鸟 (萬赫氏花蜜鳥) 'Mr Wanhe's nectar bird' (5) |
ムネアカタイヨウチョウ (胸赤太陽鳥) mune-aka taiyō-chō 'red-breasted sun-bird' |
|
| Leptocoma calcostetha Nectarinia calcostetha |
Copper-throated sunbird Macklot's sunbird |
นกกินปลีคอสีทองแดง nók kin-plii kʰoaa-sĭi-tʰoaaŋ-daeeŋ 'copper-necked bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Bakau 'mangrove twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Bakau 'mangrove honey-bird' |
Chim Hút mật lưng đen 'black-backed nectar-sucking bird' (12, 34) | 铜喉花蜜鸟 (銅喉花蜜鳥) 'copper-throated nectar bird' (4) 马克氏花蜜鸟 (馬克氏花蜜鳥) 'Mr Make's nectar bird' (5) 朱喉花蜜鸟 (朱喉花蜜鳥) 'vermilion-throated nectar bird' (10) |
ノドアカタイヨウチョウ (喉赤太陽鳥) nodo-aka taiyō-chō 'red-throated sun-bird' |
|
| Cinnyris | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Cinnyris asiaticus Nectarinia asiatica |
Purple sunbird | นกกินปลีดำม่วง nók kin-plii sĭi-dam-mûaŋ 'purple-black bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Nectarinia asiatica: Chim Hút mật họng đen 'black-throated nectar-sucking bird' (12) |
紫花蜜鸟 (紫花蜜鳥) 'purple nectar bird' (2, 4, 5) 紫色花蜜鸟 (紫色花蜜鳥) 'purple-coloured nectar bird' (alt in 1, 3) |
ムラサキタイヨウチョウ (紫太陽鳥) murasaki taiyō-chō 'purple sun-bird' |
|||
| Cinnyris jugularis Nectarinia jugularis |
Olive-backed sunbird Yellow-bellied sunbird |
นกกินปลีอกเหลือง nók kin-plii òk-lĕuaŋ 'yellow-breasted bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Bukit 'hill twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26) Burung Kelicap Pantai 'coast twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (27) |
Burung-madu Sriganti 'royal-deputy honey-bird' |
Nectarinia jugularis (12, 13): Chim Hút mật họng tím 'purple-throated nectar-sucking bird' (12, 13, 34) |
黄腹花蜜鸟 (黃腹花蜜鳥) 'yellow-bellied nectar bird' |
キバラタイヨウチョウ (黄腹太陽鳥) ki-bara taiyō-chō 'yellow-bellied sun-bird' |
|
| Aethopyga | ||||||||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Aethopyga ignicauda |
Fire-tailed sunbird | นกกินปลีแดงหัวไพลิน nók kin-plii daeeŋ hŭa-pʰay-lin 'amethyst-headed red bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
火尾太阳鸟 (火尾太陽鳥) 'fire-tailed sun-bird' |
アカオタイヨウチョウ (赤尾太陽鳥) aka-o taiyō-chō 'red-tailed sun-bird' |
||||
| Aethopyga saturata |
Black-throated sunbird Black-breasted sunbird |
นกกินปลีหางยาวคอดำ nók kin-plii hăaŋ-yaaw kʰoaa-dam 'black-necked long-tailed bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Gunung 'mountain twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Chim Hút mật ngực đỏ 'red-breasted nectar-sucking bird' (12, 13, 34) |
黑胸太阳鸟 (黑胸太陽鳥) 'black-breasted sun-bird' |
スミレオタイヨウチョウ (すみれ尾太陽鳥) sumire-o taiyō-chō 'violet-tailed sun-bird' |
||
| Aethopyga nipalensis |
Green-tailed sunbird Green-throated sunbird |
นกกินปลีหางยาวเขียว nók kin-plii hăaŋ-yaaw kʰĭaw 'green long-tailed bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Ekor Hijau 'green-tailed twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 27) |
Chim Hút mật Nê pan 'Nepalese nectar-sucking bird' (12) |
绿喉太阳鸟 (綠喉太陽鳥) 'green throated sun-bird' |
ミドリオタイヨウチョウ (緑尾太陽鳥) midori-o taiyō-chō 'green-tailed sun-bird' |
||
| Aethopyga gouldiae |
Mrs Gould's sunbird Gould's sunbird Blue-throated sunbird |
นกกินปลีหางยาวคอสีฟ้า nók kin-plii hăaŋ-yaaw kʰoaa-sĭi-fáa sky-blue-necked long-tailed bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Chim Hút mật họng vàng 'yellow-throated nectar-sucking bird' (12, 13) |
蓝喉太阳鸟 (藍喉太陽鳥) 'blue-throated sun-bird' |
ルリオタイヨウチョウ (瑠璃尾太陽鳥 ~ 琉璃尾太陽鳥) ruri-o taiyō-chō 'lapis-lazuli tailed sun-bird' |
|||
| Aethopyga temmincki |
Temminck's sunbird | นกกินปลีแดง nók kin-plii daeeŋ 'red bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Merah 'red twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27) |
Burung-madu Ekor-merah 'red-tailed honey-bird' |
特氏太阳鸟 (特氏太陽鳥) 'Mr Te's sun-bird' (4) |
- | ||
Latin |
English |
Thai |
Other Th |
Malaysian |
Indonesian |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Japanese |
| Aethopyga siparaja |
Crimson sunbird Yellow-backed sunbird Yellow-rumped sunbird |
นกกินปลีคอแดง nók kin-plii kʰoaa-daeeŋ 'red-necked bananaflower-eater (bird)' |
Burung Kelicap Sepah Raja 'royal-scarlet twitterer (bird)' (onomat.) (24, 26, 27)  Name |
Burung-madu Sepah-raja 'royal-scarlet honey-bird' Name |
Chim Hút mật đỏ 'red nectar-sucking bird' (12, 34) |
黄腰太阳鸟 (黃腰太陽鳥) 'yellow-rumped sun-bird' |
キゴシタイヨウチョウ (黄腰太陽鳥) ki-goshi taiyō-chō 'yellow-rumped sun-bird' |
|
中国鸟类种和亚种分类名录大全（修订版） 郑作新 著 科学出版社 北京 2000年
A Complete Checklist of Species and Subspecies of the Chinese Birds (Revised Edition) by Cheng Tso-Hsin, Science Press, Beijing 2000
中国鸟类分类与分布名录 主编：郑光美 科学出版社 北京 2005年
A Checklist on the Classification and Distribution of the Birds of China Chief editor: Zheng Guangmei, Science Press, Beijing 2005
中国鸟类野外手册（中文版）约翰・马敬能、卡伦・菲利普斯，合作者：荷芬奇，翻译：卢和芬 湖南教育出版社 长沙 2000年
A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Chinese translation) by John MacKinnon, Karen Phillipps, in collaboration with He Fen-qi, translated by Lu Hefen, Hunan Jiaoyu Chubanshe (Hunan Educational Press) Changsha 2000
世界鸟类分类与分布名录 主编：郑光美 科学出版社 北京 2002年
A Checklist on the Classification and Distribution of the Birds of the World Chief editor: Zheng Guangmei, Science Press, Beijing 2002
世界鸟类名称（拉丁文、汉文、英文对照）第二版 郑作新等 科学出版社 北京 2002年
Birds of the World (Latin, Chinese and English Names) 2nd ed. by Cheng Tso-Hsin et al, Science Press, Beijing 2002
中国鸟类分布名录 第二版 郑作新 科学出版社 北京 1976年
(Checklist of the Classification of Birds of China 2nd edition by Cheng Tso-Hsin, Science Press, Beijing 1976)
香港及華南鳥類（第六版）（翻譯成中文及重新修訂） 尹璉、費嘉倫、林超英 香港性徵特區政府新聞處政府印務局 1994年
Birds of Hong Kong and South China (6th edition, translated into Chinese and newly revised) by Clive Viney, Karen Phillipps, Lin Chaoying, Hong Kong Govt. Press 1994
Pocket Checklist of the Birds of the Republic of Singapore / Senai Jenis-Jenis Burung di Singapura / 新加坡野鸟目录 by Lim Kim Seng Nature Society (Singapore) 1999
Danh Lục Chim Việt Nam (In lần thứ hai) (Checklist of the Birds of Vietnam) Võ Quý, Nguyễn Cử, Nhà Xuất Bản Nông Nghiệp, Hà Nội 1999
Chim Việt Nam Nguyễn Cử, Lê Trọng Trải, Karen Phillipps; Nhà Xuất Bản Lao Động - Xã Hội, 2000
Senarai Nama-nama Burung Semenanjung Malaysia dan Asia Tenggara by Ismail, Abdul Rahman, Perhilitan (Jabatam Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara, Semenanjung Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur 1981 (List of the Names of Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Southeast Asia by Ismail, Abdul Rahman, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 1981
Previously online version of: Senarai Nama-nama Burung Semenanjung Malaysia dan Asia Tenggara by Ismail, Abdul Rahman, Perhilitan (Jabatam Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara, Semenanjung Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur 1981
List of the Names of Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Southeast Asia by Ismail, Abdul Rahman, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 1981
The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 1 - Non-passerines by Wells, David R., Academic Press, London 1999
A Field Guide to the Birds of West Malaysia and Singapore by Jeyarajasingam, Allen and Alan Pearson, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1999
The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 2 - Passerines by Wells, David R., Christopher Helm, A&C Black, London 2007
A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore (second edition) by Jeyarajasingham, Allen, Illustrations by Alan Pearson, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2012
A Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali (second edition) by MacKinnon, John, Gadjah Mada University Press, Yogyakarta 1990
Danh Lục Các Loài Chim ở Việt Nam (Latinh, Việt, Pháp, Hán) Trần Văn Chánh 2008-2009
Floating Menu by Milonic |
Tool tips by Walter Zorn |
