Wild Bird Wednesday 718 - Asian Green Bee-Eater

The Asian Green Bee-Eater (Merops orientalis) is a widespread Bee-eater that occurs over a wide area of Asia, and can be found in all areas of India.  These birds were part of a group of about 20 birds that had congregated in a tree next to a service station on a main road!  The views of the bids were excellent, although the birds were not very active.  I think most of them were have a big of a wash and brush up before starting the days business!

Asian Green Bee-Eater is a slender, richly coloured bird. It is between 16–18 centimetres long excluding the elongated central tail-feathers, which adds about 7 cm to the total length of the bird.  Unsurprisingly, the plumage is bright green, tinged with blue especially on the chin and throat, while the crown and upper back are tinged with golden rufous.  Like other bee-eaters, they are a gorgeous looking bird.

Later in my India trip I had great, but distant views of this species hunting for insects.  Unfortunately, those views did not yield any decent pictures!

I rather like the picture that shows both birds looking skyward.  I think it shows that while preening was the main task, breakfast was not far away!

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