Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis) [XC167081]
by Patrik \u00c5berg from Selingan \, Malaysia (call)
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis) [XC67604]
by Frank Lambert from Sabah, Malaysia (call)
Subspecies
Genus generally merged with Anthreptes in the past, but distinctive tongue morphology unique within family. Possibly warrants placement in separate family or subfamily. Geographical variation not well marked. In addition, described subspecies rubinigentis (from Cachar, in north-eastern India) considered inseparable from assamensis, and stellae (from Trat Province, in southern Thailand) indistinguishable from koratensis.
The following 11 subspecies are recognised:
assamensis Kloss, 1930 - Central Nepal (from Chitwan) east to north-eastern India (southern from Assam), Bangladesh, northern Myanmar, northern Thailand and southern China (western and southern Yunnan).
internota (Deignan, 1955) - Southern Myanmar and southern Thailand (south to Isthmus of Kra).
interposita Robinson & Kloss, 1921 - Peninsular Thailand south of Isthmus of Kra.
koratensis Kloss, 1918 - Eastern Thailand and Indochina.
singalensis (Gmelin, 1788) - Peninsular Malaysia southern from northern Perak.
sumatrana Kloss, 1921 - Mainland Sumatra and Belitung.
panopsia Oberholser, 1912 - Islands off western coast of Sumatra.
pallida Chasen, 1935 - Northern Natuna Is.
borneana Kloss, 1921 - Borneo.
bantenensis (Hoogerwerf, 1967) - Western Java.
phoenicotis (Temminck, 1822) - Central and eastern Java.