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Blue-throated Bee-eater in post-juvenile moult

on 11th February 2010

On 28th December 2009, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS photographed a juvenile Blue-throated Bee-eater at the Kledang Sayong Forest Reserve (400m ASL) in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

“Blue-throated Bee-eaters (Merops viridis) are one of the few birds reported to breed in Peninsular Malaysia and migrate south (Sumatra/Indonesia) during the non-breeding season. A few overstay each year, often see them at the Kledang Hill and hill stations,” wrote Amar.

The adult Blue-throated Bee-eater has a distinctive dark rufous-chestnut cap and mantle, which is absent in the juvenile. As the juvenile turns into an adult, its deep green crown and mantle undergo post-juvenile moult. As more and more of the green feathers are shed and replaced with rufous-chestnut feathers, patches of rufous-chestnut appear before the entire crown and mantle turn rufous-chestnut (left).

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.

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