Nyctyornis amictus
The Red-bearded Bee-eater, Nyctyornis amictus, is a strikingly beautiful and elusive member of the Meropidae family, instantly recognizable by its eponymous, luxuriant crimson 'beard' of elongated feathers cascading down its throat and chest. Measuring approximately 30-35 cm in length (excluding any tail streamers, which are minimal in this species) and weighing around 60-80 grams, its body is predominantly a vibrant emerald green, complemented by a pale blue forehead and a small patch of blu...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, extending into hill and submontane forests up to elevations of around 1,700 meters.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of large flying insects, with a particular preference for Hymenoptera (bees, wasps), but also including dragonflies, cicadas, beetles, and moths, caught on the wing.
Red-bearded Bee-eaters are largely diurnal but can be quite unobtrusive, often perching motionless for extended periods on shaded branches within the forest understory or mid-canopy. Their primary foraging strategy involves 'sallying' from these perches to snatch flying insects in mid-air, a clas...
The Red-bearded Bee-eater is an obligate resident of the biodiverse tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Its primary range encompasses the southern parts of Myanmar, extending throughout the Malay Peninsula including Malaysia and Singapore, and across the large islands of Sumatra and Borneo (share...
Least Concern
- The distinctive 'beard' is not hair, but specially modified, elongated feathers that create a striking visual display. - They are highly specialized predators of stinging insects, particularly bees and wasps. - Before consuming stinging prey, the Red-bearded Bee-eater expertly rubs the insect a...