Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni)

Rate this post

**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.

admin