Goa Bee eater. (1 Viewer)

[Mike Ball]

Hi all.
Apologies in advance for what is probably an unanswerable question!
Anyway, way back in December 2006 I visited Goa, India for a family Holiday. I recall seeing a Bee eater perched on a utility wire at Candolim Beach. I do not have a photo and cannot remember details of appearance etc. I have read that there are 3 Bee eater species in Goa. I don't suppose there is any chance of determining which species it was most likely to be? Perhaps based on location, relative abundance etc?
Again, sorry for the poor quality question, it has been driving me mad lately. I suspect I'll never know the ID.

 

[njlarsen]

this might help a little: https://ebird.org/barchart?r=IN-GA&yr=all&m=
You can limit the years and month displayed.
Niels

 

[Mike Ball]

this might help a little: https://ebird.org/barchart?r=IN-GA&yr=all&m=
You can limit the years and month displayed.
Niels

Thanks. I think either Green or Blue tailed. But I'll never know. I was hoping that just one species likely at that location in December. But no such luck.

 

[PYRTLE]

Probability is the widespread Little Green Bee eater, then Blue tailed followed by Bearded, from memory.

 

[Butty]

(Little) green bee-eater is the standard bee-eater you see everywhere. But - obviously - you'll never know.

 

[THE_FERN]

(Little) green bee-eater is the standard bee-eater you see everywhere. But - obviously - you'll never know.

But how much can you remember if it? Medium sized longish tailed might rule out little green

 

[Mike Ball]

Afraid I can't remember much. And it was so long ago I don't trust what memory I do have. Thanks for chipping in guys.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

I've been to Candolim three times in recent years and although as others have said, you can't be definite, I'd say that your bee-eater is 90% likely to be a green bee-eater. They are everywhere, in gardens, around housing and hotels, fields, often in groups. Blue-tailed bee-eaters are also available, but I've found they tend to be in the more open areas, such as the fields on the outskirts of town, eg on the way to the Catholic Church. They are noticably larger and nowhere near as numerous.

Two shots here. The green bee-eater was on open ground just outside our hotel (2015) and the blue-tailed was feeding on Saligao Hill, just behind the catholic church (2018).

 

[Mike Ball]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Greatly appreciated. Very nice pictures as well!

 

[Mike Ball]

Actually, while I'm at it, I also recall seeing two large birds (no binoculars) locking talons and spiralling together. I assume that could only be White-bellied sea Eagle?

 

[PYRTLE]

Actually, while I'm at it, I also recall seeing two large birds (no binoculars) locking talons and spiralling together. I assume that could only be White-bellied sea Eagle?

Could be but other birds of prey do this fairly routinely, harriers, Brahminy kites, other Eagle species such as Spotted. Impossible to narrow it down any further I'm afraid on that basis.

 

[Mike Ball]

Could be but other birds of prey do this fairly routinely, harriers, Brahminy kites, other Eagle species such as Spotted. Impossible to narrow it down any further I'm afraid on that basis.

Thankyou