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Bees, hornets and bee-eaters

YC Wee
on 24th October 2009

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As the name implies, bee-eaters are famed for its ability to handle bees (and wasps). They expertly catch these hymenopterans on the wing, bring them back to the perch to bash them so as to de-venom/de-sting them before swallowing.

The images by Chris Lee shows the Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) expertly handling the bee after removing its sting for swallowing (above left). With a flip, it tosses the bee into the air to catch it in its open mouth (above right).

Desmond Wong’s image of the Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus) shows the bird with a greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) clasped in its bill (above).

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

2 Responses

  1. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group » Blue-bearded Bee-eater takes a carpenter bee
  2. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Yellow-rumped Flycatcher “vomited” wasp it swallowed earlier

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

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