Why in the News
According to The Times of India (17 October 2026), a European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was seen earlier this week at Chennai's Adyar estuary. Local birdwatchers say this species has not been recorded in Chennai for several decades, so this sighting is being considered extraordinary in Tamil Nadu's coastal bird record.
How Did the Sighting Happen?
According to the report, birdwatcher R.V. Ramanan and his son Shreyas had gone to the Adyar estuary to see a Eurasian wryneck, but they found an even rarer visitor. The photograph was posted on the global bird database eBird and confirmation was taken from groups of fellow birdwatchers; birdwatcher Bharath Ravikumar confirmed the sighting. Interestingly, the same wryneck was later found sitting just below this bee-eater.
Why Is It Rare for Chennai?
According to Ramanan, who is associated with the Madras Naturalists' Society, blue-tailed bee-eaters are seen in Chennai, but the sighting of a European bee-eater is extremely rare. Its closest records in the state are towards Tirupur, Salem and Coimbatore, and even Pallikaranai, a favourite haunt of migratory birds, has so far missed this bird. Birdwatchers urge caution: this could be the species' first arrival here, or it may have been recorded now because of the growing number of birdwatchers - one or two birds may have escaped notice earlier too. So it is right to treat this not as a "first-ever" claim, but as a rare record after decades.
Species Introduction
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a roughly 27-29 cm long colourful bird of the bee-eater family (Meropidae), known for its bright colours and yellow throat. According to the BirdLife DataZone, it is a full migrant and is usually seen in Europe, western Asia and parts of Africa. Its status on the IUCN Red List is Least Concern (LC), meaning not worrying from a threat point of view - its presence in India falls in the category of minor vagrancy.
From the Examination's Point of View
In the environment section, such sightings connect to three points: (1) the species' scientific name and family, (2) the IUCN status, and (3) the ecological role of coastal wetland areas such as the Adyar estuary and Pallikaranai. Note that the role of citizen-science platforms such as eBird and expert review in confirming a record can also become a question.
Prelims Practice Questions
Question 1. Which species was recorded in the recent rare sighting at Chennai's Adyar estuary?
(a) Blue-tailed bee-eater
(b) European bee-eater
(c) Eurasian wryneck
(d) Rosy starling
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (b) European bee-eater. The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster). The blue-tailed bee-eater is common in Chennai; the wryneck had been seen there several times before. The juvenile bird was identified by its yellow throat, broad dark trailing edge and pale blue-green wings.
Question 2. What is the scientific name of the European bee-eater?
(a) Merops philippinus
(b) Merops orientalis
(c) Merops apiaster
(d) Merops leschenaulti
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (c) Merops apiaster. It is a species of the family Meropidae; Merops philippinus is the blue-tailed bee-eater and Merops orientalis is the green bee-eater, both common in India.
Question 3. With reference to the European bee-eater, consider the following statements:
Statement 1: Its status on the IUCN Red List is 'Least Concern' (LC).
Statement 2: It is a full migrant species.
Statement 3: The Adyar estuary and Pallikaranai are coastal wetland areas.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only 1 and 2
(b) Only 2 and 3
(c) Only 1 and 3
(d) All three
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (d) All three. According to the BirdLife factsheet, its IUCN status is LC (Least Concern) and it is a full migrant; the Adyar estuary and Pallikaranai are Chennai's coastal wetland areas, whose ecological role can be asked about in the examination.
Sources
- The Times of India, "European bee-eater makes a rare visit to Adyar estuary", 17 October 2026: Read the article
- BirdLife DataZone, European Bee-eater Merops apiaster factsheet (family Meropidae, IUCN: LC, full migrant): See the factsheet
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