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RED-BEARDED BEE-EATER JUVENILES

on 20th June 2014

“On the afternoon of 11th May 2014, we were enjoying the flora and fauna at Fraser’s Hill, Peninsular Malaysia, when the nearby calls of Red-bearded Bee-eaters (Nyctyornis amictus) beckoned. As we scanned the sea of greenery, we first spotted a juvenile perched on an exposed branch (above).

“It was mostly a deep, leaf green, with a hint of pale blue at the base of its bill. Just as we wondered where its parents would be, one of them arrived onto the scene and landed right next to it and thrust an insect into its mouth in a blink of an eye. This parent kept the juvenile company for a few more minutes (above), before flying off in search of more food.

“After about ten minutes, a parent returned with more insects to deliver. It then watched over the young with much approval of its hearty appetite (above).

“As we continued our observations, we noticed that there was another juvenile in the same tree, but perched on a lower branch in a heavily shaded location. This sibling also received a steady supply of insects, such as beetles and dragonflies, from the conscientious parents.

“This species has been recorded to breed between January and August (Robson, 2000).”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming, Dr. Vilma D’Rozario & Andrew Tay
Singapore
June 2014

Reference:
Robson, C., 2000. A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, London. 504 pp.

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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