Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
Merops oreobates
Colorful, medium-sized bee-eater with rich rufous underparts. In flight, shows black patches at the back of the wings and sides of the tail. Found in forest, gardens, and lush woodland at middle and high elevations. Usually in small groups that perch high, often in conspicuous places. The calls include a simple “seep” and an agitated series of rising whistles. Similar to Little and Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, but much larger and more richly colored below. In flight, also shows much less rufous on the top of the wings and tail than those species.
Identification
The species measures 22 centimetres (8.7 in) in length and weighs 17–38 grams (0.60–1.34 oz). The sexes are alike. They have bright green heads, upper parts, and tails; their chins and throats are yellow and outlined in black, with a white extension to the side; their breasts are cinnamon-brown, darkening towards the belly. When perched, their stance is upright with the tail pointing downward. The tail is blackish with an orange base and white tip when seen from the front, while from the back it is mainly green, with black edges visible when it is flared. This bird can be distinguished from the somewhat similar little bee-eater by their larger size, darker colouring, white cheek patches, and the upland habitat where they are found.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Merops oreobates
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1892)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Meropidae
- Genus
- Merops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This bird lives in upland regions, usually between 1,800 and 2,300 metres (5,900 and 7,500 ft) and can be found associated with wooded hillsides and forest edges, clearings, plantations, and gardens. Its diet consists mainly of honeybees although it also eat moths, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, and other flying insects. It seems to be an adaptable species and able to withstand loss of its forest habitat.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Vini kuhlii
Luminous, short-tailed parrot with a cherry-red throat and breast, green upperparts, and finely hooked orange bill. Also note the spiky feathers making up the green-and-blue crown. Endemic to the Polynesian Cook Islands, where it is native to Rimatara and introduced (or reintroduced) to others, including Atiu, where it occurred historically. Forages in a variety of wooded island habitats, including coconut plantations. Gives a variety of high-pitched calls, including a gratingly shrill and garbled screech.
Snowcap
Microchera albocoronata
Tiny hummingbird; male is unique and beautiful: his body is the color of red wine, and he has a bright white cap. Unmistakable in limited range. Female is less striking, but note small size, snowy white underparts, and short straight bill. Most often seen feeding at small purple flowers in gardens and forest edges
Peacock Coquette
Lophornis pavoninus
Tiny hummingbird of tepui highlands. Both sexes distinctive: males have long cheek tufts with black spotting, while females are heavily streaked below. Both have a white rump band like other coquettes. Found only in humid forest and scrub in the tepui region. Feeds on nectar by infiltrating territories of larger hummingbirds; also presumably eats tiny insects. May be seen resting on exposed perches. Both sexes are darker than other coquettes in range, and this species typically occurs at higher elevations than others.
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