Native Animals

Merops philippinus

Blue-tailed Bee-eater
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LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2016
QR Code
SSN 21887
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Taxonomy

Description
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Merops philippinus or Blue-tailed Bee-eater is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is also known as Beberek Ekor-biru in Malay and can be found in all open habitats, rural areas, mangroves, plantations, scrubs and secondary growth forest.

The Blue-tailed Bee-eater is predominantly covered by green colour. Its face has a narrow blue patch with a black eye stripe, and a yellow and brown throat. The beak is black while the tail is blue with two central tail feathers elongated into points.

Like other bee-eaters species, Blue-tailed Bee-eater mainly eats insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. The insects caught are beaten to kill and break the exoskeleton. This habit is seen in many other members of the Coraciiformes order (Jeyarajasingam, 2012).

Habitats
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No Description Suitability Seasonality
1
Artificial - Terrestrial → Arable Land
 Suitable Non-breeding
2
Artificial - Terrestrial → Arable Land
 Suitable Breeding
3
Artificial - Terrestrial → Pastureland
 Suitable Non-breeding
4
Artificial - Terrestrial → Pastureland
 Suitable Breeding
5
Artificial - Terrestrial → Plantations
 Suitable Non-breeding
6
Artificial - Terrestrial → Plantations
 Suitable Breeding
7
Artificial - Terrestrial → Rural Gardens
 Suitable Non-breeding
8
Artificial - Terrestrial → Rural Gardens
 Suitable Breeding
9
Artificial - Terrestrial → Urban Areas
 Suitable Non-breeding
10
Artificial - Terrestrial → Urban Areas
 Suitable Breeding
11
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Forest Vegetation Above High Tide Level
 Suitable Non-breeding
12
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Forest Vegetation Above High Tide Level
 Suitable Breeding
13
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
 Suitable Non-breeding
14
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
 Suitable Breeding
15
Wetlands → Permanent Freshwater Lakes [over 8 ha]
 Suitable Non-breeding
16
Wetlands → Permanent Freshwater Lakes [over 8 ha]
 Suitable Breeding
17
Wetlands → Permanent Rivers, Streams, Creeks [includes waterfalls]
 Suitable Non-breeding
18
Wetlands → Permanent Rivers, Streams, Creeks [includes waterfalls]
 Suitable Breeding
References : http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes/habitats-classification-scheme-ver3

Assessment
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Year Published Assessment Red List Category Version
2016 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
3.1
2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
3.1
2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1988 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A

Location
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by State Location
  • Johore 4
  • Kedah 2
  • Penang 1
  • Perak 2
  • Selangor 1
  • Federal Territories of Putrajaya 1
Based on publications, specimens, and images

Biodiversity Experts
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Profile
Abdul Rahman (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Protected Areas
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Ahmad Khusaini Bin Mohd Kharip Shah (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Conservation
Allen Jeyarajasingam (Mr.)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
  • Birds
Andrew Alek Tuen (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Protected Areas
  • SWK
Azmi Mat Ali (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds (Taxonomy)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Rodents
  • Treeshrews
  • Squirrels
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Data Analysis
  • Ecosystems
  • Taxonomy
  • PM
Hasdi Hassan @ Asang (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Conservation
  • Management
  • PM
Ismail Bin Hj. Mamat (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Meor Amran Bin Meor Zulkifilee (Mr.)
Birdgroup Taman Negara (BGTN)
  • Birds
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Management
  • Tourism
  • PM
Mohammad Shahfiz Azman (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
  • Amphibians
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Reptiles
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Law and Policy
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Science
  • Systematics
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC)
  • National Policy on Biological Diversity
  • Policy
  • Research and Development (R&D)
  • Zoonotic
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Mohd Abdul Muin Bin Md Akil (Mr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Reptiles
  • Snakes
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular
  • Protected Areas
  • Climate Change
  • Invasive Alien Species
Mustafa Abdul Rahman (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
  • Birds
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Rahmah Binti Ilias (Mrs.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Spiders
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • PM
  • W
Rosli Ramli (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • Protected Areas
  • Marine & Coastal
  • PM
  • W
Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli (Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Fishes (Ecology)
  • Molluscs (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Water
Yeap Chin Aik (Mr.)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Biological Resource
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Education
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Traditional Knowledge (TK)
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;

References
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Article
  1. Azman, N.M., Abdul Latip, N.S., Shahrul Anuar, M.S., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shafie, N.J. & Khairuddin, N.L. (2011). Avian Diversity and Feeding Guilds in a Secondary Forest, an Oil Palm Plantation and a Paddy Field in Riparian Areas of the Kerian River Basin, Perak, Malaysia. Tropical Life Sciences Research (TSLR) 22 (2), 45–64
  2. Baharuddin, Z.M., Rusli, F.N. & Othman, R. (2014). Kuala Lumpur Urban Biodiversity: Birds Community in Urban Public Parks. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy 3 (6), 146-159
  3. Azman, N.M., Abdul Latip, N.S., Shahrul Anuar, M.S., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Ahmad, A. & Shafie, N.J. (2014). Diversity and Temporal Distribution of Birds in Rice-Growing Landscape, Northern Peninsular Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana 43 (4), 513-520. http://www.ukm.my/jsm
Book
  1. Birds of FRIM, 2003. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 49.
  2. Guidebook to the Biodiversity of Linting wetlands, 2015. Wetlands International, Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  3. Island Life: A Natural History of Pulau Tengah, Johor, Malaysia, 2018. WS Lifestyle, Singapore. pp. 163.
  4. MNS Bird Conservation Council. 2015. A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Nature Society - Bird Conservation Council, Malaysia. pp. 60.
  5. Pelan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Putrajaya, 1998. PERHILITAN & Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 100.
  6. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Mohd Nasir, A.H., Mohamed Zin, Y., Richard, A.M. & Latiff, A. (2013). Banjaran Bintang Gunung Inas, Kedah: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal dan Kepelbagaian Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 245.
  7. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Koh, H.L., Muhamad, A., Wan Yusof, W.K. & Latiff, A. (2011). Hutan Simpan Melaka: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal, Kepelbagaian Biologi dan Socio-ekonomi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 315.
  8. Al Zahri, M. & Norhayati, A. (2022). Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS), Volume 2. Kementerian Tenaga & Sumber Asli, Malaysia. pp. 100. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  9. Asyraf, M., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shahrul Anuar, M.S. & Rahmad, Z. (2015). Pictorial Guide To The Plant and Bird Life of Byram Mangrove Forest, Penang. Penerbit USM, Malaysia. pp. 190.
  10. Francis, C.M. (1998). A Pocket Guide To The Birds of Borneo, Third Edition. The Sabah Society, Malaysia.
  11. Gregory-Smith, R. (1995). The Birds of Sarawak: A Pocket Checklist. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia. pp. 21.
  12. Hazebroek, H.P., Adlin, T.Z. & Sinun, W. (2011). Danum Valley: The Rain Forest. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Malaysia. pp. 615.
  13. Ilias, R., Aminurddin Ahmad, M., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Abidin, F.A.Z. (2007). Avifauna: Kuala Gula, Perak: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  14. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohd Nor, D.H. (2007). Avifauna: Taman Negara: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 44.
  15. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohamad Rufino, B.M. (2007). Avifauna: Paya Indah Wetlands: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  16. James, G., Mendis, T. & David, L. (2012). 2nd Edition Migratory Birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. pp. 92.
  17. Jeyarajasingam, A., Norhayati, A., Yasser, M.A. & Ilias, R. (2016). Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Penerbit UKM, Bangi, Malaysia. pp. 165. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ] — [ | eBook (EPUB) ]
  18. Maimon, A. (2008). Biodiversity of Sungai Pulai: Ramsar Site, Johor. Earth Observation Centre, Malaysia. pp. 97.
  19. Myers, S. (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo. Simon Papps, Singapore. pp. 272.
  20. Nee, T. A. & Norhayati, N. (2018). Compendium of Facts and Figures. 3rd Edition, Volume 3. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 174.
  21. Omar, R. (2018). Birds of the Forests of Peninsular Malaysia: A Photographic Guide. Strategic Information and Research Development Centre, Malaysia. pp. 351.
  22. Praveena, B.K. & Maria Arlene, J.A.S. (2013). Compendium of Facts and Figures. 2nd Edition. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 161.
  23. Rajendran, S. & Jeyarajasingam, A. (2021). Malaysian Birds - A Glimpse. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Malaysia. pp. 1-335.
  24. Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 1. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 369.
  25. Chan, K.S & See, C.M (2020). Coastal Mangrove Birds of Bagan Datuk, Perak. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 80.
  26. Shaharuddin, M.I., Azahar, M., Razani, U., Kamaruzaman, A.B., Lim, K.L., Suhaili, R., Jalil, M.S. & Latiff, A. (2005). Sustainable Management of Matang Mangroves: 100 Years and Beyond. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 531.
Chapter in book
  1. Inventori Hidupan Liar di Putrajaya. In Pelan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Putrajaya. PERHILITAN & Perbadanan Putrajaya. pp. 1-52.
Legislation
  1. Akta Pemuliharaan Hidupan Liar 2010 (2010) — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  2. Wildlife Conservation Act (2010). Laws of Malaysia Act 716 — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
Online
  1. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Research discovers Temiar language’s unique ability to identify birds. Retrieved April 05, 2018, from https://www.star2.com/living/2018/03/30/temiar-people-bird-identification/ — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
Report
  1. Laporan Inventori Hidupan Liar Putrajaya 2019. Kementerian Air, Tanah dan Sumber Asli (KATS) dan Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  2. Laporan Program Kajian Inventori dan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Tahun 2017, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya. Perbadanan Putrajaya & PERHILITAN, Malaysia.

Publications
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Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS), Volume 2 (2022)
Malaysian Birds - A Glimpse (March 2021)
Laporan Inventori Hidupan Liar Putrajaya 2019 (2019)
Birds of the Forests of Peninsular Malaysia: A Photographic Guide (2018)
Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) (2016)
Akta Pemuliharaan Hidupan Liar 2010 (2010)
Wildlife Conservation Act (2010). Laws of Malaysia Act 716
MNS Bird Conservation Council. 2015. A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia Second Edition

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Acknowledgements :- Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Mr. Ahmad Amir Firdaus Bin Mad Apandi, Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Ajla Rafidah Baharom, Mr. Allen Jeyarajasingam, Ms. Amirah Hasanah Binti Mazlan, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Ms. Norayuni Binti Ramlee, Mrs. Nur Hazwanie Binti Abd Halim, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nursyafiqa Madzlen, Ms. Siti Zubaidah Binti Abdul Latif, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin

Photo credit :- Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Koay Zhong Ying, Mohd Rosmadi Hassan, Mohd Suhaimi Bin Mohd Yusof, Muhammad Al Zahri & Yasser Arifin

Species Citation :- Merops philippinus. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/21887. [Retrieved 06 June 2023].

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