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CORACIIFORMES 45 Meropidae Malaysian Birds Bee-eaters The Bee-eaters worldwide could be considered to come from two subfamilies -1] the bearded Bee-eaters, Nyctyornithinae and 2] the typical Bee-eaters, Meropinae, . World wide there are 26 species and in South East Asia - 6 species. In Malaysia, we are lucky to be able to spot 4 of these species As you can see that 3 of the Bee-eaters are in a group of near passerine birds from the family of Meropidae. So are most other species are found elsewhere. The diagnostic features of Bee-eaters are their colorful plumage, slim bodies, down turned bills and pointed wings. Their usual flight pattern of coasting give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. Also common is the black stripe running from the eye to the base of the bill. Lastly, most of them having an extended streamer in tail feathers. Bee-eaters as their name imply, really eat Bees. But it is not surprising to see them going after and eat other harmless insects especially dragonflies, and also grasshoppers, butterflies. On rare occasions, they may eat small lizards and fish. One important point, 4 species of Honeybees are the top choice of food for the Bee-eaters around the world. Bee-eaters are somehow programmed to catch flying objects on the wings. The next chance you get, watch them. Bee-eater will catch the insect when the insect is in flight and ignores the insect after it has safely landed. After getting the insect and before eating its meal, Bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface. This action normally extracts and remove most venom. Another feature of Bee-eaters, they are gregarious. Each morning and later in the evening when they leave and return to their nests, the sky would be filled with birds gliding across the glow of the day accompanied with incessant calls. The 3 [Meropidae] Bee-eaters that we see in Malaysia are migratory birds.
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4. Rainbow Bee-eater |
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There are a few practices common among these 3 birds. Together, they form colony, leaving and returning to their roosting area each day. It is quite obvious particularly in the morning when the flock of birds about 10-15 birds announcing their arrival. In the day light hours, once they are out, each pair would fly out to some suitable vantage points, spread themselves out over large patch of open country, to wait for the victims. More often, while in different perches, the members of the group are not very far away from one another, Next point, it is common for them to build their nests in burrows of steep sides of land or cliffs, on hillsides and river banks. Some prefers ground of sandy nature while others prefer clay. The Blue-throated were seen building nest in places with huge sand mounts or cliff sides. This would those in abandoned areas with little human movements. I have seen them now up in the hills in Ampang forest, deserted open country in Bidor and next to the coast in Pulau Indah among the mangrove forest. Both species, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater and the Blue-throated Bee-eaters do the Spring migration from south to north each year. Starting from Singapore in January and would be passing through Malaysia in February and should be through Thailand in late March to be in Indochina or China by May. Apparently the Blue-tailed tapers off the season within a couple of weeks earlier than the Blue-throated. But important point is that both species are flying north during the same period of time. The Chestnut-headed had made used of the water outlets opening on the walls of the Kek Loke Si Temple in Penang but none seen for the Chestnut-tailed that we get to see in the largest number.
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46 Coraciidae
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Rollers Rollers are a group of Old World birds belonging to the family Coraciidae within the order Coraciiformes. These avian species, encompassing around 12 different types, derive their name from the remarkable acrobatic displays they perform during courtship, characterized by rapid dives toward the ground with rolling motions of their wings and bodies. These aerial maneuvers, reminiscent of somersaults, contribute to their classification as Rollers. Typically, Rollers exhibit a distinctive light blue coloration with darker patches of intense pure blue. While resembling crows in size and build, they share a vibrant appearance akin to Kingfishers and Bee-eaters, featuring hues such as blues, pinkish tones, or cinnamon browns. Their body structure includes connected inner front toes, distinguishing them within the Coraciiformes order. The family Coraciidae, often considered to include Ground Rollers and Cuckoo Rollers, inhabits warm regions spanning from Europe and Africa to Australia. Primarily insectivores, they display varied foraging behaviors. Species like Eurystomus capture prey in flight, while Coracias species dive from perches to catch items on the ground, similar to Giant Shrikes. Belonging to the order Coraciiformes, Rollers share common characteristics, including large heads, short necks, bright plumage, weak feet, and short legs. Notably, their two inner front toes are connected, contrasting with the unconnected outer toe. Reflecting their physical traits, Rollers rarely hop or move along perches, using their feet primarily for occasional leaps along the ground during pursuits of prey. Two distinct genera within the Roller family are Eurystomus and Coracias. Broad-billed Rollers, belonging to Eurystomus, are characterized by their brightly colored bills, with the birds sometimes referred to as such. In contrast, true rollers of the Coracias genus feature black bills. Additional differences between the two genera include wing length, with Eurystomus Rollers possessing longer wings, potentially linked to differences in foraging ecology. Their calls are described as "repeated short gruff caws." The Dollarbird, also known as Eurystomus orientalis or Broad-billed Roller, earned its name from the silver-dollar-sized spots on its wings visible during flight. With a length of up to 30 cm, this insectivorous bird is found in East Asia, ranging from northern Australia to the Japanese archipelago. The Dollarbird exhibits a preference for beetles and often catches prey in mid-flight. Juveniles are characterized by a darker beak, which transforms into a more vibrant orange hue as they mature.
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6, Indochinese Roller |
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Dollarbird Dollarbirds belong to small family of birds under this heading. Worldwide there are 12 species of these birds. Medium size with a large head coupled with a stout bill. They both are strong flier capable of performing acrobatic stunts like rolling and tumbling. Their favorite food is flying insects which they would capture in mid-air and doing sorties from an exposed position that they have chosen. With the stout bill they could hunt for reptiles and small animal. Overall they are better known for their act of flying in the air rather than the prominent stout bills used for hunting. Worldwide there 12 species there are 12 species from this family and among which 2 can be found in South-east Asia. In Malaysia both can be seen. Among the 2 birds mentioned, only the Dollarbirds is seen. More often in certain months, at other times hardly noticed. I recent years the number of Dollarbirds sighted is also getting smaller. The Indian Roller is hardly a visitor to Malaysia. If at all seen, would be in the northern states. In contrast with the sightings of the Dollarbirds, the Roller, at least one bird, is seen in Taiping regularly during the year end migratory months. |
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With Will would Wander |
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