This eye-catching avian boasts a bluish-green frontal area, a remarkably long blue stripe that extends from the throat to the breast and a muted yellow underbelly that’s ornamented with green streaks.
Introducing the Blue-bearded Bee-eater:
The blue-bearded bee-eater, also known as Nyctyornis athertoni, is a bird that boasts of having long chin feathers that can be raised to resemble a beard. It is the largest member of the bee-eater family, with an adult size between 31 to 35 cm (12 to 14 inches) and a weight of 70 to 93 grams (2.5 to 3.3 ounces). Unlike smaller bee-eater species, this bird has large sickle-shaped bills and square-ended tails without wires. It has grass-green plumage with a turquoise forehead, face, and chin, and its elongated throat feathers create a bearded effect when fluffed. The belly of this bird displays yellowish to olive hues with streaks of green or blue.
It is interesting to point out that there is little difference in appearance between male and female blue-bearded bee-eaters, except for the intensity of ultraviolet reflection in the male’s blue throat feathers. The species was given its name to pay tribute to Lieut. John Atherton (13th Light Dragoons), who sadly passed away in 1827. Mrs. P. J. Selby, Atherton’s niece, acquired a specimen of this bird, which she and Sir William Jardine described in their book “Illustrations of Ornithology” published in 1828.
The bee-eater species that we’re talking about here is found in different parts of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and it has its own unique characteristics.
The stunning avian creatures are commonly seen in open spaces within forests, particularly in the Malayan area. Some of them can also be spotted in peninsular India. They have a penchant for various environments and typically inhabit areas with elevations below 2000 meters. Their preferred habitat is generally composed of forests with varying levels of density and sometimes includes open spaces. They usually travel solo or in groups of three, and their distribution across their territory can be erratic. Spotting these birds can be quite tricky.
The reason for their captivating name lies in the elongated blue feathers on their throats. Although they have loud calls, these bee-eaters are less sociable and active compared to their smaller counterparts. Interestingly, unlike other bee-eaters, their tail lacks the distinct “wires” formed by the longer central feathers’ shafts.
When it comes to their eating habits, Blue-bearded bee-eaters have a particular liking for bees. Interestingly, they have an interesting technique when it comes to dealing with Giant honey bee colonies. They tend to provoke these colonies, which results in the release of guard bees. These guard bees are then caught and consumed by the Blue-bearded bee-eaters while in mid-air. While they mostly hunt using aerial sallies, they sometimes also feed on tree bark. These birds might also associate themselves with mixed-species foraging flocks and can be seen near the flowers of Erythrina and Salmalia, but it’s not clear what they prefer to eat in these situations.
The bee-eaters are famous for their loud and distinctive calls, even though they do not call out often. They are not as energetic as their smaller counterparts. Their calls consist of a variety of sounds, such as cackling hornbill-like noises, a dry series of “Kit-tik… Kit-tik” calls, or hollow nasal “kyao” calls. When in pairs, they may participate in duets characterized by cackling and rattling sounds, closing with short purring notes. Their flying style is undulating and reminiscent of barbets.
In India, the breeding season for blue-bearded bee-eaters spans from February to August. During courtship, these birds engage in a series of behaviors such as feeding, bowing, and tail fanning. They begin excavating their nests about one month before laying eggs, creating deep tunnels in mud banks. In these tunnels, they lay four spherical, white eggs.
Take a moment to tune in to the sweet melodies of this feathered friend: