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A closer look at the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

on 14th August 2012

“Sometimes where we watch birds depends on providence. I had finished observing the nesting Yellow Bitterns (Ixobrychus sinensis) and decided to explore more of the Tambun Interior area on foot. This is a vast area with many hidden nooks and crannies. Many individuals have large ‘estates’ here to raise poultry, do fish farming, etc in one of the most picturesque of environments.

“I met an ‘average looking’ gentleman on an old motorbike who took a liking to me and surprisingly invited me to his farm (on the back of his bike). A huge area with three large ponds, one lake size, surrounded by towering limestone hills on two sides – an ideal wetlands. He allowed me to wander his ‘estate’ freely.

“He had put up fine netting to protect his vegetable farm from the livestock he was breeding and I spotted a Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti), also known as Bay-Headed Bee-eater, caught in one low section, just half a meter off the ground – probably swooped down for prey as they usually do.

“It was struggling until I approached, then became calm. Took a minute to grab some images and then proceed to free it. Fortunately the netting was fine and I could break it with my fingers. It fortunately appeared unharmed.

“I then had a gorgeous bee-eater in hand with no way to photograph it (too far my vehicle to get my kit lens, reluctant to walk back to the farm proper and ask the foreign workers for help as concerned that might push to keep it).

“Decided to try locking my lens at 18mm (2.7×18 = 49mm) and take images with one hand (no flash). The postings show my efforts to document the anatomy.

“After 3-4 minutes I released the bird and it flew right between my legs as it took off skyward.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Tambun Interior, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Fish farming, ex-mining pools, limestone hills nearby
6th August 2012

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

One Response

  1. Lovely close-ups showing the feather structures! Indeed providential: you did well given the limits of being short handed and the bird was fortunately set free.

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