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Green Bee-Eater • The following pages have some identification markers for each of the Bee-eaters found in India • To know more on these birds you can visit http://ogaclicks.com/bee-eater/ • If you are interested in Coming on any of my tours or workshops please share your email id. I will keep you updated • Mail me at [email protected] • You can also call me on (91)9840119078 , (91) 9445219078 (91) 6369815812 List of Bee-eaters found in India Sno. Name Binomial Name 1 Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni 2 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus 3 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus 4 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops Leschenaulti 5 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 6 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Blue-bearded Bee-eater Identification Tips Blue-bearded Bee-eater : Nyctyornis athertoni: Resident of Himalayan foothills , East , North East , Western Ghats & hills of Western Tamil Nadu in India Blue Crown Pale azure-blue forehead Iris is bright orange Green nape Bill is black, long, curved downwards Green Face ( cheek, ear-coverts, neck, submoustachial area) Azure-blue pendent beard Upperparts are Green Upperwings are Green with Belly is rich buff with broad green streaking Flanks are rich buff with broad green streaking; Tail is green, square ended Legs are dark grey-brown Vent is Buff Sexes are Similar Buff undertail covert Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Identification Tips Blue-cheeked Bee-eater: Merops persicus: Passage migrant in North West India Forecrown is blue Forehead narrowly white by bill Mid & hind crown green Bill is black, long and slender Blue supercilium Chin is bright yellow Broad black eyeband Rufous throat Blue cheek Upperparts are grass-green Breast is bright green Belly is bright green Upperwings are Green Primaries with dusky trailing edge Legs are dark grey-brown Tail is green, two elongated central tail feathers Sexes are Similar Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Blue-tailed Bee-eater Identification Tips Blue-tailed Bee-eater : Merops philippinus : Breeds in North, Central ,North West , East & North East; Passage Migrants in lower Central India & Winters in South India Thin blue supercilium Bronze-green crown Bill is black, long and slender Broad black eyeband, bordered with narrow blue streak Chin is bright yellow Rufous cheek Rufous throat Breast is bright green Upperparts are green washed turquoise Upperwings are Green with rufous tan and dark tips to primaries Belly is washed turquoise Blue rump Tail is blue with elongated central tail feathers Legs are dark brown Sexes are Similar Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Identification Tips Chestnut-headed Bee-eater : Merops Leschenaulti: Breeds in Himalayas, resident of East , North East & Western Ghats and Andaman islands ; Passage Migrants in Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh in India Bay-brown crown Bill is black, long and slender & downward curved Broad black eyeband Chin is bright yellow Yellow cheek Rufous lower throat Bay-brown Mantel Thin black gorget Upperparts are green washed turquoise Breast is green Blue rump Belly is blue-green Tail is green M. l. andamanensis: Resident of Andaman Broad rufous eyeband Green wings with broad black band over trailing edge Sexes are Similar Difference from Nominate Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com European Bee-eater Identification Tips European Bee-eater: Merops apiaster: Vagrant as a Passage migrant in India White forehead with turquoise band above Chestnut crown Iris red-crimson Bill is black, long and slender & downward curved Broad black eyeband Chin is bright yellow Yellow cheek Yellow throat with black gorget Bay-brown Mantel Breast is greenish-blue Golden Scapulars Belly is greenish-blue Upperwing mahogany with dusky band along trailing edge Paler crown Male Paler upperparts Paler underparts Greenish-blue vent Tail is greenish-blue with streamers Female Difference from Male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Green Bee-eater Identification Tips Green Bee-eater: Merops orientalis: Widespread resident in India Female Golden green crown Bill is black, long and slender & downward curved Iris red-crimson Broad black eyeband Chin is bluish-green chin Paler Chin & Bluish-green throat Blue cheek throat with black gorget Green Upperparts Thinner gorget Green cheek Breast is green Upperwing green Belly is green with black trailing edge M. o. ferrugeiceps : Resident of Assam in India Rufous crown Tail is green with long streamer Rufous Nape Male Difference from Male Difference from Nominate Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com .
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