Kek Lok Si Temple: The most ornate Bee-eater colony
Kek Lok Si Temple is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam, Penang Island, with its elevated position facing the sea making for impressive viewing. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and was built over a period from 1890 to 1930. Two of the most striking features are the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas and the 36.57 metre tall bronze statue of the Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Around Chinese New Year the entire complex is festooned with a myriad of coloured lights which make very impressive viewing and a 'must-visit' tourist attraction Another colourful sight, in and around Penang, is the endemic Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti ). There are 5 colourful members of different Bee-eater species found in Malaysia with three of these regularly seen in Penang. The Penang Bee-eaters; Blue-throated Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters and Blue-tailed Bee-eater The Chestnut-headed Bee-eater is a resident breeder in the Indian S