Our Bangkok Balcony Sunbirds

Something beautiful is happening in our part of the world. Just as the Thai Government sends a directive on social distancing with a request to stay home, we find we have a couple of interlopers who have moved into our Bangkok nest.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW:

They have done the right thing however and they have self-isolated to stop the coronavirus virus spreading. They are building themselves a beautiful home on our balcony. It seems they too know a good view when they find it!

They arrived a few weeks back and set about with such zealous enthusiasm to build their own pad that we sit here full of admiration for their home-building skills.

OUR THAI SUNBIRDS:

We are so happy that two of the cutest little Thai sunbirds have joined us for the nesting season. We believe these birds are either Fire-Tailed or Olive-backed Sunbirds, they certainly have the standard yellow bellies. They dart around with quick movements and are not unlike hummingbirds with an enormous beak.

Sunbirds are not uncommon here in Thailand, although are a protected species. More information can be found here

Talk about the happiest bird watch ever!

BUILDING THEIR NEST

This is the second year we have enjoyed the sunbirds. We removed last years nest after the fledgelings hatched and flew, as we are always ultra-cautious of anything that might harbour bugs around here.

Whether this is the same pair of industrious sunbirds as before or new birds, it is no mean feat as we live way up high, above the 30th floor. All construction either needs to be foraged from on high, or these little cuties have to take a long haul flight with their precious cargo to build their dream home.

It appears as if both the male and the female assist in building the nest. Their flask-shaped home is quite a work of art.

I have tried not to get too close, but I do need to nip out when they are off foraging, to water the tree. They have constructed an overhanging porch – this is quite some architectural design with a trail of hanging material at the bottom.

You can see the baby sunbird mouth open waiting for a feed

Isn’t life blooming amazing?

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: PLANET EARTH

Your little Wren is confined to the home and outside on my balcony is the best David Attenborough Planet Earth documentary ever. It is such a beautiful way to spend the day. I couldn’t be closer to this nest and I can watch these beautiful little birds constructing, nesting and now tending their young morning, noon and night.

“The natural world is the greatest source of excitement. The greatest source of visual beauty. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”

David Attenborough

As we ponder weeks of social distancing in our Bangkok apartment we decided to claim back our right to have a sundowner drink on our balcony. At first, we gave them all the space in the world to come and go as they pleased and we were thrilled to know there were two eggs.

One of these eggs has hatched and as I sit here writing this there is much chirping coming from the nest. The female returns regularly to feed her young.

HEARING THE LITTLE BIRDS SING
Let’s go back a bit and remind you about my Bangkok life. I’ve arrived in this great city from suburban Melbourne Australia. Here we have a garden where we can hear all manner of exotic birds sing.

It’s been a stressful week. We’ve been watching COVID-19 developments and knowing that we will be locked down away from family and friends in Australia and Europe. Our world has been closing in on us and city apartment living in one of the world’s most exciting, crazy cities without the ability to fly free is a daunting prospect.

I knew we could cope if we could hear the little birds sing. Just put it out there, and the universe will respond!

Thank you world!