Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (<em>Merops philippinus</em>) is a species of Bee-eaters (<em>Meropidae</em>) in the order Kingfishers and Allies.
Overview
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) is a species of Bee-eaters (Meropidae) in the order Kingfishers and Allies. A green bee-eater with a blue throat and tail; hunts flying insects from exposed perches; breeds in colonies in riverbanks; common in South and Southeast Asian wetlands.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Merops; binomial: Merops philippinus; authority: Linnaeus, 1767. Typical size: 24-27cm. Average lifespan: 5-10 years.
Distribution
Breeding range: the Oriental Region and Australasia. Non-breeding range: to Thai-Malay Pen., Greater Sundas and Timor.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
Includes javanicus, celebensis and salvadorii; treat as monotypic (Fry 2001a; Beehler & Pratt 2016).
