Abejaruco de cola azul

1. Nombre del ave
The bird profiled here is commonly known as the “Blue-tailed Bee-eater” (Merops philippinus).

2. Aspecto
The Blue-tailed Bee-eater is a strikingly beautiful bird, adorned with bright colors that shimmer in sunlight. The adult bird’s upper parts, cheeks, and throat are painted a luminous green, while its underparts are washed turquoise-blue. Its tail is a standout feature, coloured a vibrant blue, hence the name. The crown and nape appear rusty-brown, contrasting sharply against a distinctive black eye stripe that extends from its bill, through its reddish-brown eyes, and ear-coverts. Its reddish-orange beak is long, slender, and slightly curved, specialized for hunting bees and other flying insects. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though the immature birds possess duller plumage.

3. Tamaño
On average, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater measures between 28 – 30 centimeters in length (roughly 11-12 inches), including its tail. The bird’s wingspan can reach up to 36 centimeters (about 14 inches). The weight of a mature Blue-tail Bee-eater ranges between 30 to 50 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución
The Blue-tailed Bee-eater is found widely across parts of Southeast Asia, extending from India to Indonesia and China. Their range makes them seasonal visitors to many countries, where they breed in the summer months. They typically inhabit open habitats, including coastal areas, woodland edges, and agricultural fields. They are often sighted near water bodies as well.

5. Datos de interés
One of the fascinating facts about the Blue-tailed Bee-eater is its phenomenal aerial acrobatics. These birds are experts in capturing flying insects while mid-flight. Also, before consuming their meal, bee-eaters remove the stinger by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface. Despite their small size, these birds are also known for their long-distance migrations, often crossing the Indian Ocean in a single, non-stop flight.

6. Dieta
As their name suggests, Blue-tailed Bee-eaters have a particular fondness for bees. However, they also consume a variety of flying insects including wasps, dragonflies, and butterflies.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
Blue-tailed Bee-eaters are social birds, often seen in small groups. They nest in burrows on sandy banks and communicate with a variety of calls, which include a soft, nasal “prrrt” or a more distinctive “chee-chee-chee”. During courtship, the male often offers the female a bee or other insect as a ‘gift’.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, the status of the Blue-tailed Bee-eater is ‘Least Concern’. Fortunately, their population is deemed stable and they don’t face any immediate threats.

9. Vida útil
The average lifespan of the Blue-tailed Bee-eater in the wild is believed to be around 7-8 years. Specific information regarding their lifespan in captivity remains elusive due to the scarcity of this species in captive conditions.

10. Notas adicionales
In countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater is locally known as “Burung Berek-Berek”. These birds are generally not problematic for human communities and often beneficial to agriculture due their diet of insects. As part of the ecosystem, these birds help control insect populations, contributing to the health of their habitats.