>> GENERAL >>>>>
– medium-sized near passerine, slightly smaller than Western Jackdaw, slimmer and longer-winged
– diurnal/nocturnal migrant
– very vocal in flight, often heard already when no bird is visible or can not be even seen at all
– resembles European Bee-eater in most aspects, but slightly bigger (which is difficult to judge in the field)
– in areas with overlapping populations or migration routes (or as vagrants) best to be kept apart by call
>> FLIGHT >>>>>
– migrates singly or during migration peak in small flocks (10-30 birds)
– silhouette somewhat starling-like with triangular wings, but larger than Common Starling
– typical flight pattern with erratic, rapid wing beats followed by gliding phases
– birds often do not move in a straight line, but with phases of spiralling and circling, often hunting insects
– magnificent plumage usually only recognisable when the bird has already been identified by its flight pattern and calls
– rarely solitary, usually in small (up to 10 individuals) to large groups (depending on area and region)
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD
BIF3168, 02/06/2018, Narimanabad, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD
BIF3140, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– same size and structure as European Bee-Eater but with lime-green rather than sky-blue body
– yellow chin and dark orange throat patch diffusely merging to green breast (lacks the black line of European Bee-eater)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD
BIF3271, 02/06/2018, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– almost unicoloured blue-green upperside, bluish rump patch
– AD with two generations of primaries
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD
BIF3141, 07/05/2012, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– tail streamers (longest in M) on average slightly longer and thinner than in European Bee-eater
– narrower black eye mask than European Bee-eater framed white to light blue
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD
BIF3142, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– uniform rusty red underwing with fairly indistinct, evenly narrow dark trailing edge
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, 1CY
BIF3138, 21/09/2011, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– JUV duller overall appearance with narrow pale fringes to upperwing coverts
– lacks elongated central rectrices
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, 1CY
BIF3139, 19/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– throat patch larger and more uniform rusty orange than in AD
– whitish markings edging the black eye mask narrower and more indistinct than in AD
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD and 1CY
BIF3269, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– note the different generations of primaries in the AD (out of focus)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, 1CY
BIF3268, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– remiges from above olive green with a rather indistinct narrow trailing edge (cf. European Bee-eater)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD
BIF3272, 01/06/2018, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– AD often appear more elongated than European Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus
BIF3171, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus
BIF3170, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus
BIF3172, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus</em
BIF3173, 18/09/2016, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
>> SOUND ID >>>>>
– most often to be heard a broadly modulated overslur
– the overslur is usually separated in the middle -> European Bee-eater
– the sound quality is raspier, harsher than in European Bee-eater
– also in a higher frequency-band
– even (inharmonic) partials
– overview –
– detail –
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus chrysocercus, AD, calls in flight
BIF3143, 10/05/2012, Sandafa Al Far, Egypt, Patrick Franke
– overview –
– detail –
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus chrysocercus, AD, calls in flight
BIF3144, 10/05/2012, Sandafa Al Far, Egypt, Patrick Franke
– overview –
– detail –
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD, calls in flight
BIF3145, 21/09/2011, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– overview –
– detail –
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops p. persicus, AD, calls in flight
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster, AD
BIF3146, 21/09/2011, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
European Bee-eater
Green Bee-eater
#nearpasserine
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