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Blue-throated Bee-eaters sunning…

on 12th May 2010

Lim Seik Ni and Tan Hwee Miem reported that Blue-throated Bee-eaters (Merops viridis) have been visiting their campus at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang, Malaysia from mid-April to end of September. They managed to locate their breeding ground at the campus area where they observed the bee-eaters’ behaviour.

What fascinated them as well as their birding seniors were the ways the birds sunbathed, especially the different postures taken. The birds laid on the flat ground spread-eagled with wings expanded and tail feathers spread, panting at the same time (top left). The neck may be inclined to one side with the feathers fluffed (above right).

In the above images, the bee-eater appears to be taking a sand bath, lying with the the feathers fluffed, neck exposed to the sun and bill open. In the centre image the open bill is pointing upwards.

According to Fry (2001), bee-eaters take sun bathe, dust bathing and water bathing. Sunning can take place at odd hours of the day. Extending the neck to one side to expose the feathers to the sun has been termed as “broken-necked” posture.

These are various ways of maintaining the feathers that include preening and water bathing. Earlier posts include sunbathing on a television antenna.

Reference:
Fry, C. H., 2001. Family Meropidae (Bee-eaters). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 6. Mousebirds to Hornbills. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 286-341.

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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