Balcony Birding: Green Bee-Eater

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I used to see people posting photos of this green cutie on & off and wondered when I would get to see them & photograph them.

Earlier this year I had spotted plenty of them on the highway but I was not carrying my camera.

One day I saw a bird perched on a wire far away in the dim evening lights. I thought it was a different bird and I clicked it. On the laptop I zoomed it only to realize it was the Bee-Eater. That photo is not at all of good quality but remains as a record of sightings for the day.

Green bee-eater | Juvenile | Merops Orientalis

This week the weather has been good with heavy downpours and lightning. Mondays are a bit relaxed for me so I did birding for a good time that day; keeping the camera handy and also doing some household work in between.

Finally clicked one in flight. I love the rufous tinge in its under-wings (Aug 2020)

I heard an unfamiliar chirp and looked up to see a flying bird and yes it was different. By the time I had my camera in hand it vanished. I turned to keep the camera back and the other one appeared from nowhere and I missed capturing it in flight.

In flight

I was disappointed but it was short lived. I saw it perch on a wire that’s a bit closer and when I zoomed on it …….. I was thanking God with joy. So here was the elusive Green Bee Eater.

The elongated tail feathers are absent in juveniles

It was a pair of juveniles, as the distinct elongated tail feathers were missing. They stood out against the blue of the rain washed sky.

hope it becomes a regular visitor rather than ‘once in a blue moon’ kind

Some facts about the Green Bee-Eater
– There are 27 species bee-eaters around the world
– There are 8 subspecies of green bee-eater that can be found in Africa & Asia.
– Each bird lives in an extended family with members of four overlapping generations. They appear to recognize parents, siblings, offspring, friends, and nesting neighbors, likely from voice recognition.
– They know how to “disarm” dangerous prey and are natural-born killer of bees. Even juvenile birds know how to perform this procedure without training.
– They bathe in the sand to remove parasites and excess oil from the plumage
– They are monogamous (they mate for a lifetime)
– Unlike any other species of bird, green bee-eater is able to predict behavior of humans and predators.
– Many bee-eater names reflect their colorful feathers.

Blue-Tailed Bee Eater (captured from the Kettuvallam in Kerala)

Perched very high up on a tree …..somewhere in Delhi

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Do watch out for the next post on another species from my #BalconyBirding list

Posts shared so far on:

1. Rosy Starlings
2. Alexandrine Parakeet
3. Rose-Ringed Parakeet
4. Plum Headed Parakeet
5. Indian Spot-Billed Duck
6. Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
7. Black-Winged Stilt
8. Indian Peafowl
9. Indian Purple Sunbird
10. Green Bee-Eater

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The Soul Is Here For It’s Own Joy!
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe

This published post is being shared as part of:

#WordlessWednesday hosted by Natasha & Esha
and some more Sue ,  Betty ,  Zina