Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni) – A Comprehensive Study

Taxonomy & Classification

• Scientific Name: Nyctyornis athertoni
• Common Name: Blue-bearded Bee-eater
• Family: Meropidae (Bee-eater family)
• Order: Coraciiformes
• Genus: Nyctyornis
• Species: athertoni

The Blue-bearded Bee-eater is the largest bee-eater species, distinct from the smaller and more colorful members of the Meropidae family. Unlike the typical slender and aerial bee-eaters, it has a stout body, slower flight, and prefers perching in dense forests.

Morphological Features

Size & Dimensions

• Length: 31–35 cm (12–14 inches)
• Wingspan: 45–50 cm
• Weight: Around 70–100 grams

Coloration & Plumage

• Head & Crown: Greenish with a slightly brownish tinge
• Throat & Beard: A prominent blue “beard” (elongated throat feathers) gives it a distinctive look
• Upperparts: Green, blending well with forest canopies
• Underparts: Greenish-yellow with a pale streaky pattern on the chest
• Tail: Long and slightly curved with a blue tint
• Eyes: Deep brown
• Beak: Strong, slightly curved, and blackish-grey
• Legs & Feet: Dark grey

Distinctive Features

• Unique “beard” of blue feathers, unlike other bee-eaters.
• Robust beak compared to other bee-eaters, allowing it to hunt tougher insects.
• Prefers forested environments, in contrast to most bee-eaters that prefer open landscapes.

Habitat & Distribution

General Habitat

The Blue-bearded Bee-eater is primarily a forest-dwelling species, found in:

• Dense tropical and subtropical forests
• Hill forests and lowland woodlands
• Mangrove forests and forest edges
• Open forest patches near rivers
• Secondary forests and degraded woodlands

Global Distribution

This species is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia, including:

• Indian Subcontinent: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan
• Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China

Presence in Sundarban

The Sundarban mangrove ecosystem provides a unique but suitable habitat for this species, though it is less common than the Blue-tailed Bee-eater.

• Prefers dense mangrove areas with taller trees, often seen perching on high branches.
• Unlike other bee-eaters, it does not rely heavily on open sandy banks for nesting.
• Found more frequently in buffer zones of Sundarban, where mangroves transition into tropical forests.
• Seasonal presence observed, with some individuals migrating to drier regions during monsoon months.

Diet & Feeding Behavior

The Blue-bearded Bee-eater is an insectivorous bird, specializing in catching large insects, including:

• Bees and wasps (its primary diet, as with other bee-eaters)
• Dragonflies and damselflies
• Butterflies and moths
• Grasshoppers and crickets
• Beetles and large ants

Hunting Techniques

• Unlike other bee-eaters, it often sits motionless on a high perch, waiting for prey.
• Uses its strong, curved beak to grab and crush insects, removing stingers before consumption.
• Occasionally forages near flowering trees, where bees and wasps are abundant.
• Prefers solitary hunting, unlike other bee-eaters that hunt in flocks.

Breeding & Nesting

• Breeding Season: February to July, peaking in March-April.
• Nesting Sites: Unlike other bee-eaters that use sandbanks, it excavates burrows in soft soil, clay banks, or tree cavities.
• Nesting Style: Digs tunnels around 1 meter deep for egg-laying.
• Eggs: Typically 2–4 white eggs per clutch.
• Incubation Period: Around 21–25 days.
• Parental Care: Both parents take turns incubating and feeding the chicks.

Nesting in Sundarban

• It prefers nesting in elevated forested areas rather than riverbanks.
• Nests are rarely found in heavily tidal zones due to frequent flooding.
• Some individuals nest in tree hollows near forested wetlands.

Vocalization & Communication

• Call: A harsh, guttural “grrak-grrak” or “kree-kree” sound, deeper than other bee-eaters.
• Purpose: Used for territorial defense, mating calls, and alarm signals.
• Unlike smaller bee-eaters, it calls less frequently and is often silent.

Conservation Status & Threats

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

Although not endangered, the species faces certain threats:

• Deforestation and habitat loss due to agricultural expansion.
• Logging and wood extraction affecting nesting sites.
• Decline in insect populations due to pesticide use.
• Disturbance from human activity, especially in fragmented forest patches.

Conservation Efforts in Sundarban

• Sundarban Tiger Reserve and National Park offer protected areas where habitat destruction is limited.
• Conservation programs focused on preserving mangroves and associated forests indirectly support this species.
• Eco-tourism guidelines help in minimizing human disturbance.

Ecological Role in Sundarban

• Helps control populations of bees, wasps, and other flying insects, preventing overpopulation.
• Serves as an indicator species, reflecting the health of mangrove and forest ecosystems.
• Its nesting burrows in tree cavities or soil benefit other small animals by creating habitats.
• Provides prey for larger birds of prey, contributing to the ecological food chain.

Conclusion

The Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni) is a fascinating, forest-adapted bee-eater with unique characteristics, including its stout body, striking blue beard, and preference for dense woodlands. Although not as commonly seen as other bee-eaters in Sundarban, its presence in the buffer zones and forested edges highlights the region’s rich biodiversity.

With Sundarban’s conservation efforts, habitat protection, and eco-tourism regulations, this magnificent species will continue to thrive, playing a crucial role in maintaining the delicate ecological balance of the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem.