Chestnut-headed bee-eater

The chestnut-headed bee-eater, also known as the bay-headed bee-eater, is a striking bird belonging to the Meropidae family. Native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, these birds are distinguished by their sleek bodies and vibrant plumage, predominantly green with blue highlights on the rump and lower belly. Their most captivating feature is the chestnut-colored face, throat, crown, and nape, complemented by a distinctive black eye stripe and a slender, curved black bill. Both males and females share a similar appearance, although juveniles tend to display less vivid colors.

These bee-eaters measure about 18-20 cm in length but lack the elongated central tail feathers characteristic of many of their relatives. They favor nesting in subtropical open woodlands, often near water and at higher elevations. Their diet primarily consists of insects such as bees, wasps, and hornets, which they adeptly capture in mid-air from perches. Renowned for their social behavior, these birds form colonies on sandy banks where they excavate long tunnels to lay their eggs. Both parents participate in egg care and share feeding and roosting duties.

The species' scientific name honors the French botanist Jean Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour. Notable variations exist among subspecies: the Javan subspecies, M. l. quinticolor, is distinguished by unique yellow hues and blue tail feathers, while the race andamanensis from the Andaman Islands is slightly larger than the Indian variety. The chestnut-headed bee-eater features crimson irises, a black bill, and dusky black legs with dark horn-colored claws. Their call is strikingly similar to that of the European bee-eater.