The European bee-eater is an endangered species. Its global population has continually declined. Conservation efforts for the species began when it became listed in 2000 as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Agricultural intensification, illegal trapping and pesticide use have been the main causes of habitat loss and degradation. This has led to its decline.
As their name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees. Before eating a bee, the European bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface. It can eat around 250 bees a day.
There are twenty-seven species in the bee-eater family Meropidae, containing three genera. The European Bee-Eater (Merops apiaster) breeds in southern and central Europe, northern and southern Africa, and western Asia. Except for the resident southern African population, the species migrates south in winter, returning north in summer.
The European bee-eater is a richly coloured, slender bird. It has brown and yellow upper parts, whilst the wings are green and the beak is black. It can reach 27–29 cm in length, including two elongated central tail feathers.
European bee-eaters have different migration patterns between groups. Meanwhile, the Intra-African migrants breed in Northern and Central Africa, and migrate south for the South African summers before returning north as southern winter approaches.
What color are European bee-eaters?
European Bee-Eaters are brightly colored birds with a long, curved bill used to catch and consume insects. Their plumage is predominantly green, with a yellow throat and black eye stripe. They also have a reddish-brown patch on their wings, visible when in flight.
These bee-eaters, like other bee-eaters, are richly colored, slender birds. They have brown and yellow upper parts, while the wings are green and the beak is black. They can reach 27-29 cm, including two elongated central tail feathers.
As their name suggests, they feed primarily on bees, though they also eat other flying insects. They tend to catch their food on the wing by swooping down and grasping prey in their slim bills which they take back to their perch.
Bee-eaters build nests in burrows. Females may lay a second clutch if first eggs or hatchlings are killed. Their scientific name means “Bee-Eater Bee-Eater”.
The European Bee-Eater is a relative of the Kingfisher, with a varied habitat and unusual nest-building habits. This brightly colored bird creates burrows rather than nests, making them prone to parasite infestations.
European bee-eaters are social, frequently in flocks whilst uttering deep “prrroop, prrrooop” sounds often repeated.
These migratory birds have abundant populations in arid and semi-arid areas of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. Recently observed breeding in central Europe as far as Sweden, they tend to be shy and avoid humans. However, after rain they may be found close to settlements in search of beehives.
Male European Bee-Eaters have brightly colored plumage, while females are mostly brown. They can consume up to 250 bees per day without getting stung because they remove the stinger by thrashing against ground or rocks.
IUCN categorizes bee-eater species as Stable or Least Concern, so populations are not disappearing or experiencing major threats currently.
What is the name of the European bee-eater?
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a bird in the bee-eater family. It breeds in southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, then migrates to tropical Africa. Its name means “bee-eater” in Latin and Greek.
These bee-eaters nest colonially in sandy banks, usually in May. They make tunnels where they lay five to eight white eggs in June. The male and female brood the eggs for three weeks.
As the name suggests, bees are the preferred food. But European bee-eaters also eat butterflies, dragonflies, flying ants, and wasps. To capture flying prey, the slender bill allows precision. Bristles around the mouth help catch stinging insects.
They are strikingly colored with a yellow throat, green-blue crown and back, brown wings with blue flight feathers, and a black eye-stripe.
European bee-eaters breed in colonies and nest in burrows dug in sandy banks. Disputes over nest sites may occur. Males give females a nuptial gift of caught insects before mating.
Though widespread, bee-eaters are threatened locally by reduced prey from increased agriculture. Fewer insects forces them to stay longer during migration, delaying breeding. But overall numbers remain secure.
How much do European bee-eaters weigh?
The European bee-eater is a bird in the bee-eater family. It breeds in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It migrates to Africa for winter.
Bee-eaters eat insects like bees, wasps, butterflies caught by swooping from perches or chasing mid-air. At night, flocks gather at roost sites during migration. Their populations are declining due to habitat loss and pesticides.
Adults grow 28-30 centimeters long. They weigh 55-70 grams. As the name suggests, they eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps.
These birds fly swiftly to catch insects 60 meters away. A male weighs around 3-37 grams. Females weigh 31-34 grams. Males are “cocks” and females “hens”.
They have abundant populations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. They breed as far north as Sweden. Though shy, they come near towns after rain to find beehives.
Over 90% of their diet is bees, wasps and hornets. They catch and eat bees on the wing. Their bills crush stingers and remove venom.
People persecute them where beekeeping is common, seeing them as pests. But they are not considered globally threatened.