Blue-throated Bee-eater

Merops viridis

Family: Bee-eaters · Status: Common resident · Size: 22.5–23.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident across southern China and Southeast Asia, including Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Populations on the Thai-Malay Peninsula partially migrate, with flocks moving south in August–October and returning north in March–April.

Identification

Adult has rich chestnut crown extending to mantle, bluish-green upperparts, vivid blue throat, green underparts below throat, whitish-blue rump and tail with streamers. Juvenile is greener overall, with green crown and mantle and weak bluish-green chin, lacks tail streamers. Blue throat (not orange) separates it from Blue-tailed Bee-eater.

Habitat

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

Behaviour

Feeds in flight on flying insects including dragonflies, bees, and large flies; also hunts from a perch, beating prey against it to immobilize or devenom.