The
green bee-eater is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, and western Arabia and Asia, through India to Vietnam. It is green overall with a green-blue throat and a thin black throat band. Some subspecies have a rusty crown or a bright blue throat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEHFDQYB8LpVi2DJ61f0OW2mhuHJeWta60_KUzhrpeShbWtbZvi1c9UJINVEryO_-i3pHq1WHIpwT8rWT0T4m2H1EgVp5BdpIlezSer_wQwJKfoh5MrBI2BD6Qx7drXj6ehVs4CH16ao/s400/3a+green+bee+eater+-+Udawalawe.jpg) |
This green bee-eater was found in Udawalawe NP and looks like the subspecies ceylonicus given the golden brown sheen on the head. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLFKJR5smIytRH3U7-xPWLNUYLAA1xpywPSEJGbmjizdFH6kPvqVyUH_H0CbtzKJxcUj2SiGmOeDQoB3lpI2Yf75qK6spQnmDvfhYtf9b_0zjdqv7P6HBWKJnHjsSFm8h971q-hw9-9U/s400/4+green+bee+eater+-+Udawalawe.jpg) |
The same bird from a different angle. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lZ7GWSOrhYZdIEwSJefvXe8pQthoA6K0tK9fYi7E4mVNK1a_-EN-9nHPQ69xvSWbEsQIhqxiIG4J1h08xm26To53k5C6l_etn1J9eiGzoDeIvS9ErqJfAcBYOOCXTL3ffyJLAMdMb0w/s400/10+bee+eater.jpg) |
I found this photo later, taken in Yala NP with my point and shoot. It was right next to our vehicle. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv6rHXVNn8KXX_F4mDk8kU1Ixh110_wUNXbEzGEutCcfyfBH9IfEU8L4EvBwdFsllsQLdHR_0MbW7x6JlCT6kDKOPnh9afU3sL3H31z_WR7qI6295oNbOHFj3WRKiENj_u-bYECmWShM/s400/12+bee+eater.jpg) |
A different photo of the same bird. |
In Sri Lanka, the subspecies Merops orientalis orientalis has a head and neck tinged with rufus, while the suspecies M.o. ceylonicus has a nape and hind neck with more pronounced golden brown sheen.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-owzuT3LdVE0XbvrCIKnpPD2L3njekfbEcc8zL6A1XKAPK72utFFtGsc9_3w4dkWXf2dz83rNzS_fhxXYL1ULODwr11aHiOAMhzOs5vSi-928NAmjKPlJyel89RJsi2mWKo6yvJsGj_A/s400/7+green+bee+eater+-+Udawalawe.jpg) |
Also found in Udawalawe NP, this green bee-eater has a darker red head |
We saw lots of bee-eaters and one of my regrets is that I did not insist on stopping for more photos of them. I find great variety in their appearance and wish for more and better photos.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTXZDmEFYx8jKFUS51LwenQPF8NuwO2IYt9OAHsQrQzaYU_GaABZ1caa9vuUbXJ8O_VAnT8GyIXKHCZMoc7YSoaeGunVSMI1pNYbJIfqyCIqfGka2kHvQVBZZyxQwKTuH_CkVbBKGiRo/s400/2a+green+bee+eater+-+Yala.jpg) |
This green bee-eater was found in Yala NP. |
These are one of my favorites. Besides their gorgeous jewel-tones, I love those two long feathers on their tail that look a little like a stinger on a bee.
ReplyDelete