Hirtenmaina vs Bienenfresser

Acridotheres tristis verglichen mit Merops apiaster

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Hirtenmaina Bienenfresser
Wissenschaftlicher Name Acridotheres tristis Merops apiaster
Ordnung Passeriformes Coraciiformes
Familie Sturnidae Meropidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge 25,0 cm (9.8 in) 28,0 cm (11.0 in)
Flügelspannweite 38,0 cm (15.0 in) 38,0 cm (15.0 in)
Gewicht 120,0 g (4.23 oz) 56,0 g (1.98 oz)
Ernährung Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements. Primarily bees, wasps, and hornets caught in flight. Removes stingers by beating prey against a …
Gelegegröße 2-6 4-10
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Hirtenmaina 25,0 cm
Bienenfresser 28,0 cm
Flügelspannweite
Hirtenmaina 38,0 cm
Bienenfresser 38,0 cm
Gewicht
Hirtenmaina 120,0 g
Bienenfresser 56,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

Hirtenmaina only

Bienenfresser only

Hirtenmaina

Urban areas, farmland, and open woodland. Closely associated with humans and one of the most successful avian urban colonizers.

Bienenfresser

Open country with scattered trees, sandy banks, and river cliffs for nesting. Breeds in colonies in tunnels dug into earth banks.

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Song & Call Comparison

Hirtenmaina

Gesang

A noisy, cackling chatter and melodious whistling mixed together. An accomplished mimic of other birds and sounds. Gives repeated 'mee-ow' and harsh 'quarr' alarm calls.

Bienenfresser

Gesang

A liquid, melodic 'pruik-pruik' or rolling 'prruup-pruup' in flight. Flocks give a distinctive far-carrying bubbling call audible before birds are seen. Considered a pleasant sound.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Hirtenmaina

Native to South and Southeast Asia. Introduced and invasive in Australia, South Africa, Middle East, and many Pacific islands.

Bienenfresser

Southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Winters in tropical Africa. A long-distance migrant.

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Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

Hirtenmaina

Least Concern

Bienenfresser

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How to Tell Them Apart

Hirtenmaina

Gefieder

Brown body with a glossy black hood, yellow bill, and bare yellow skin behind the eye. White wing patches conspicuous in flight. Yellow legs.

Schnabel

Strong, slightly curved yellow bill

Bienenfresser

Gefieder

Richly colored with a chestnut-brown crown and back, golden-yellow scapulars, turquoise-blue underparts, and a black eye stripe. Central tail feathers are elongated.

Schnabel

Long, slender, slightly decurved black bill

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About These Birds

Hirtenmaina

Die Hirtenmaina wurde von der IUCN zu einer der 100 schlimmsten invasiven Arten der Welt erklärt. Ursprünglich aus Südasien stammend, wurde sie in tropische Regionen weltweit eingeführt, wo sie einheimischen Vögeln Nisthöhlen streitig macht. Trotz ihres invasiven Status ist die Hirtenmaina ein intelligenter und charismatischer Vogel, der menschliche Sprache nachahmen kann.

Bienenfresser

Der Bienenfresser gehört zu den farbenprächtigsten Vögeln Europas und zeigt ein Farbspiel aus Kastanienbraun, Gold und Türkis. Seinem Namen gerecht werdend, hat sich der Bienenfresser auf den Fang giftiger Insekten spezialisiert und entfernt geschickt den Stachel vor dem Verzehr. Er brütet in Kolonien und gräbt bis zu zwei Meter lange Bruthöhlen in sandige Steilufer.

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