Rufous-crowned Bee-eater Merops americanus Scientific name definitions

28 cm (including tail-streamers). Previously considered conspecific with M. viridis  of SE Asia and the Sundaic islands (see Taxonomy comments). Adult has crown  to upper back  chestnut, lower back, rump, upper- and undertail-coverts sky-blue, central tail-feathers  darker sky-blue, becoming even darker towards outer tail, all with black tips; scapulars and wings  mostly grass-green, inner tertials partially blue, flight-feathers  black-tipped  and outer primaries mostly black; lores and mask  black, throat-sides sky-blue, rest of throat  , breast and belly lime-green, becoming sky-blue lower down ; underwing-coverts and edges to underside of flight-feathers pale rufous. Bare parts: bill black, eyes blood-red, and legs and feet golden-olive. Sexes alike. Juvenile has crown and throat green, and lacks elongated central tail-feathers. <em>M. philippinus</em> , the only other bee-eater in the Philippines, lacks the chestnut head of adults of the present species, and has a yellow chin and rust-coloured throat.

Philippines (on Bohol, Boracay, Cagayancillo, Calicoan, Camiguin Sur, Catanduanes, Cebu, Cresta de Gallo, Culion, Dinagat, Dumaran, Fuga, Guimaras, Leyte, Lubang, Luzon, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Panay, Samar, Semirara, Siargao, Sibuyan, Tablas and Ticao).

Inhabits open country and clearings adjacent to forested areas, including over scrub and cogon fields, using dead trees and telephone wires as perches (2 Kennedy, R. S., P. C. Gonzales, E. C. Dickinson, H. C. Miranda, and T. H. Fisher (2000). A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

No specific data concerning diet, beyond general mentions of insects  . Observed singly , or in small to large groups

Gives a series  of three or more loud, clear “phil-ip phil-ip phil-ip” or “pit pit pit” notes in flight (2 Kennedy, R. S., P. C. Gonzales, E. C. Dickinson, H. C. Miranda, and T. H. Fisher (2000). A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

Season Feb–May. Nest-burrows  reached by c. 1 m-long tunnel, in flat or sloping ground, or in banks; no nest material is added. Clutch 3–5 white eggs. No further information.

Not globally threatened. Like M. viridis, very little information regarding density and abundance of this species.