PRELIMS BITS – SPECIES

Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater

Context

The first recorded breeding site of the Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater in Peninsular India was discovered in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. This finding extends its breeding range further south, changing its status from a seasonal migrant to a year-round resident in Tamil Nadu.

Habitat

This species thrives in open landscapes, semi-desert regions, and sparse woodlands. It is commonly found across Northern Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and India, with occasional sightings in Italy and Greece.

Diet and Nesting

• Primarily feeds on insects, with a preference for dragonflies.
• Nests are built in sandy banks, embankments, low cliffs, and dunes.
• Typically forms small, loose colonies but can also nest solitarily, sometimes sharing breeding sites with European Bee-Eaters.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

This discovery highlights an important shift in the species’ distribution, contributing to a better understanding of its ecology in South India.