Chim Sâu (Flowerpecker)

A friendly and helpful bird

In summer, especially in July and August, the peaceful gardens in the countryside of Tien Phuoc District in the central province of Quang Nam are filled with the chirps of newborn flowerpeckers. The mother flowerpeckers beat their wings and feed their chicks beside suspended nests made of twigs, grass and feathers.

The sight of a little flowerpecker with a little peak is familiar to many locals. As hard-working birds, flowerpeckers fly to every corners of the gardens to search for food. Perching on the branches, they diligently peck at clusters of leaves and flowers for small insects, spiders and even pollen and nectar. By feeding on insects, the flowerpeckers help the farmers. They contribute to protecting plants from insects and help spread the seeds.

While the pouch-like nests of flowerpeckers can be found on the trees or bushes in the gardens, the flowerpeckers are a family of passerine birds that live in the forests. Like sparrows, these are small birds from 4-10 grams in weight. Flowerpeckers are active birds. They hop continually, perching and flitting from shrub to shrub around the gardens.

There are 55 species of flowerpecker. Some are raised for bright colorful plumage, which is used for ornamentation. In Vietnam, there are eight species of flowerpecker, with two genera: Prionochilus and Dicaeum.

(from The Saigon Times Weekly 2008)

Other related posts:

Tourism Dictionary

• Đình Làng Đình Bảng (Dinh Lang Village Temple)
• Bãi đá Ông Địa (Ong Dia Rocky Beach)
• Đỉnh Langbian (Langbian Peak)
• Vịnh Nha Trang (Nha Trang Bay)
• Quả Gấc (Balsam apple fruit)