Green and blue bearded bee eater

[starrynight]

I really love these bee eaters.... stars of my trip... :biggrinlo

Green bee eater

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Blue bearded bee eater

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[joeyao]

Lovely birds :)

[cuckooroller]

I really love these bee eaters.... stars of my trip... :biggrinlo

Green bee eater

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Hi Starry,

This is a good one for everyone on Singapore.

There are (unfortunately!!), three Merops on Singapore that can be confused, one with the other. They are: Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis viridis); Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti leschenaulti, and; this one, which is correctly identified as Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps). The reason that it can be confusing is that on Singapore the race ferrugeiceps of the Green Bee-eater differs in appearance from the other races of orientalis because it has a brown or chestnut colored head. To separate all of these, the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater has a white or cream-yellow throat; the Blue-throated Bee-eater, has a white rump and has the chestnut of the head extending backward onto the mantle, and normally has much more light blue on the breast and belly.

[MountainMan]

Very very swee :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Are these from Khao Yai?

[Garion]

Great stuff Wilson, love the colours of these fellas. :thumb: The blue bearded bee-eater is indeed unique! 1st time seeing these guys.

Hi Starry,

This is a good one for everyone on Singapore.

There are (unfortunately!!), three Merops on Singapore that can be confused, one with the other. They are: Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis viridis); Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti leschenaulti, and; this one, which is correctly identified as Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps). The reason that it can be confusing is that on Singapore the race ferrugeiceps of the Green Bee-eater differs in appearance from the other races of orientalis because it has a brown or chestnut colored head. To separate all of these, the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater has a white or cream-yellow throat; the Blue-throated Bee-eater, has a white rump and has the chestnut of the head extending backward onto the mantle, and normally has much more light blue on the breast and belly.Hi Steve, thanks for the explanation in differentiating the three different sub-species. However, if I am not mistaken, there are only two representatives of the Merops family that can be found in Singapore? The Merops phillipinus (blue-tailed bee eater) and Merops viridis (blue-throated bee eater). These two Merops are seasonal visitors, one arriving while the other departs. AFAIK, the blue-throateds breed here while the blue-tails do not.

I am neither an ornithologist nor an expert, so do correct me if I am wrong in any way.

[wkcheah76]

the bearded one looks like it is near their nest! :) :D

[cuckooroller]

Great stuff Wilson, love the colours of these fellas. :thumb: The blue bearded bee-eater is indeed unique! 1st time seeing these guys.

Hi Steve, thanks for the explanation in differentiating the three different sub-species. However, if I am not mistaken, there are only two representatives of the Merops family that can be found in Singapore? The Merops phillipinus (blue-tailed bee eater) and Merops viridis (blue-throated bee eater). These two Merops are seasonal visitors, one arriving while the other departs. AFAIK, the blue-throateds breed here while the blue-tails do not.

I am neither an ornithologist nor an expert, so do correct me if I am wrong in any way.

Hi Garion,

Good point, and it emphasizes on rereading an initial mistake on my part. It always helps to clearly indicate the location of the shots. These were probably taken somewhere in Thailand (or at least further north in Malaysia). Having said this, as far as I know the Singapore Records Committee has verified the occurence of only two Merops. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater (race javanicus) is a common, non-breeding, winter resident. The Blue-throated Bee-eater (nominate race viridis) is a common, permanent, breeding resident. Though not officially validated the occurence of Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps - I would expect it to occur occasionally as a so-called "accidental". It has been officially reported both in Malaysia and Thailand. Moreover, I have a photo of one in my Database mist-netted on Singapore. It is out of its' normal range which is normally either further north (Myanmar) or further east (Indochina and se China (Yunnan)). As far as Merops leschenaultii leschenaultii, though not officially recorded from Singapore as far as I know, I would definitely expect it to occur sooner or later given that the nominate race does commonly occur on the Malaysian peninsula, and race quinticolor, on Sumatra. Expect it to turn up sooner or later as another "accidental". Another that I would expect to see turn up on Singapore is another Meropid - i.e., Red-bearded Bee-eater, given that Singapore is smack dab in the middle of its' historical range.

[Garion]

Hi Garion,

Good point, and it emphasizes on rereading an initial mistake on my part. It always helps to clearly indicate the location of the shots. These were probably taken somewhere in Thailand (or at least further north in Malaysia). Having said this, as far as I know the Singapore Records Committee has verified the occurence of only two Merops. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater (race javanicus) is a common, non-breeding, winter resident. The Blue-throated Bee-eater (nominate race viridis) is a common, permanent, breeding resident. Though not officially validated the occurence of Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps - I would expect it to occur occasionally as a so-called "accidental". It has been officially reported both in Malaysia and Thailand. Moreover, I have a photo of one in my Database mist-netted on Singapore. It is out of its' normal range which is normally either further north (Myanmar) or further east (Indochina and se China (Yunnan)). As far as Merops leschenaultii leschenaultii, though not officially recorded from Singapore as far as I know, I would definitely expect it to occur sooner or later given that the nominate race does commonly occur on the Malaysian peninsula, and race quinticolor, on Sumatra. Expect it to turn up sooner or later as another "accidental". Another that I would expect to see turn up on Singapore is another Meropid - i.e., Red-bearded Bee-eater, given that Singapore is smack dab in the middle of its' historical range.
Steve,

Thanks for the detailed info, and summary, it is interesting to learn that "accidental" visits do happen from time to time here of the other Merops family other than the two commonly found here. The Singapore Bird Group (SBG), the avian arm of the Nature Society of Singapore, does twice (or thrice) yearly bird census so these visitors not on the official checklist could have turned up from time to time over the years. (of that the records might have something to show). AFAIK, they did not show up in this year's lists.

[Mervin]

exotic ones there bro !
:drool:

[starrynight]

bro... these suppose to be common in Khao Yai ... haha ....