The Amazing Red Bearded Bee-Eater

Red Bearded Bee-Eater or scientifically named Nyctyornis amictus is one of the only four (4) bee-eater species which can be found in Malaysia so far. It is a resident bee-eater and it is quite common in mid mountainous regions. Its diet is reportedly to be predominantly insects and recently i had an opportunity to see a male bird trying his luck on a beetle.

Here you can see the beetle between its mandibles. The beetle was probably caught from the nearby foliage and brought to the tree branch. The tree was about 20-30 feet high located in the mid level of a nearby primary forest.

The bee-eater tried its best to get the bulky and slippery beetle into a good edible position.

At one time the beetle was just inches away from freedom and here you can see that it was merely dangling at the tip of the mandibles. 

The bee-eater then tried other ways to get the beetle into position.

But the beetle was very stubborn and wouldn't want to give in. So the bee-eater decided to whack the beetle a couple of times on the branch until it passed out !

With the now almost "immobilised" beetle between its mandibles, the bee-eater tried again.

After about 15 minutes of maneuvering its prey, the beetle finally went down the bee-eaters's throat. Burp ! The bee-eater was motionless on the branch for a couple of minutes after swallowing the huge beetle. 

Then the final conclusion of the entire process - the wiping of beaks. This arboreal foliage-gleaning insectivore would probably not be eating again for the next few days.

HAPPY BIRDING !