Malaysian birds - Red-bearded Bee-eater

Malaysian Birds

Red-bearded Bee-eater

Size & diagnostic markings:- 34 Cm. After reading about the 3 Bee-eater above, this last and 4th Bee-eater is totally different from all of them . This is a jungle bird of the deep forest. The Red-bearded Bee-eater at 34 cm long appears bulkier and much larger then the conventional shape Bee-eaters. The bird is almost green in color with the upper and underpart in close shades. The throat and the central breast in red with shaggy feathers. The fore crown purplish pin

Distribution :- This is a bird of Sumatra and and the Borneo Islands.k and small band of red before the crown.

Habitats & preferences:- This is a bird of the deep forest, usually in the hilly areas of the lowland forest. It is equally common in the sub-montane forest.

The Red-bearded Bee-eater is native in Sumatra and the Borneo Island. One Bee-eater who is not from the family of Meropidae. This Bee-eater is a beautiful bird with an ugly voice.

But now it is common to see them in the Malaysian jungle. Unlike other Bee-eater, the Red-bearded Bee-eater prefers dense forest for its perch. But same as other Bee-eaters, this bird too, would choose bare branches and vantage points. Normally at canopy level.

Occasionally, it will make harsh calls. It is also with this call that I detect their presence. Once knowing that they are around, it rather easy to search for their exposed position led by the bright pink and red patch on the breast. The bird would stay in one position for some minutes. It would not feel threatened at their height and could detect any unfavorable action that we may proceed with next. When the bird feels more comfortable, it will fly to another or even nearer branch to check out the reason for my presence.

Red-bearded Bee-eater are not known to migrate. Their availability at known spots are quite predictable. Unlike other Bee-eaters, they may stay in the same position for a long time, never the whole day. But I cannot explain why it is not easy to spot during certain time of the year.