Blue-throated Bee-eater

Blue-throated Bee-eater

Scientific Name: Merops viridis

Malay Name: Berek-berek Rengkung Biru

Chinese Name: 蓝喉蜂虎

Range: Found from South China to Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 22.5-23.5 cm

Identification: Adult has mostly bluish-green body with dark chestnut crown and mantle, black eyestripe and bluish tail (with streamers) and throat. Juvenile is greener overall and lacks chestnut crown/mantle and tail streamers.

Similar looking species: Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Habitat: Open and urban areas, marshes, grasslands and forests.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds in flight on a variety of flying insects including dragonflies, bees, and large flies.

Local Status: Common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any patch of suitable habitat.

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Merops viridis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22725900A94905359.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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