European Bee-eater vs Peregrine Falcon
Merops apiaster compared with Falco peregrinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Bee-eater | Peregrine Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Merops apiaster | Falco peregrinus |
| Order | Coraciiformes | Falconiformes |
| Family | Meropidae | Falconidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) | 43.0 cm (16.9 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.0 cm (15.0 in) | 104.0 cm (40.9 in) |
| Weight | 56.0 g (1.98 oz) | 750.0 g (26.46 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily bees, wasps, and hornets caught in flight. Removes stingers by beating prey against a … | Almost exclusively medium-sized birds caught in flight, including pigeons, doves, waterfowl, and songbirds. Hunts with … |
| Clutch Size | 4-10 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
European Bee-eater only
None
Peregrine Falcon only
European Bee-eater
Open country with scattered trees, sandy banks, and river cliffs for nesting. Breeds in colonies in tunnels dug into earth banks.
Peregrine Falcon
Diverse habitats from tundra to tropics, typically near cliffs or tall structures. Increasingly found in cities nesting on skyscrapers and bridges.
Song & Call Comparison
European Bee-eater
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.
Peregrine Falcon
A harsh, wailing 'kak-kak-kak-kak' repeated rapidly in defense of the nest. Alarm call is a long screaming 'raaak'. Mostly silent away from breeding sites.
Geographic Range & Migration
European Bee-eater
Southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Winters in tropical Africa. A long-distance migrant.
Peregrine Falcon
One of the most widespread birds, found on every continent except Antarctica. Migratory populations travel vast distances between breeding and wintering grounds.
Conservation Status
European Bee-eater
Peregrine Falcon
How to Tell Them Apart
European Bee-eater
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.
Long, slender, slightly decurved black bill
Peregrine Falcon
Blue-grey upperparts with barred white underparts. A distinctive black moustachial stripe contrasts with the white throat and cheeks.
Short, notched blue-grey bill with a yellow cere
About These Birds
European Bee-eater
The European bee-eater is one of the most colorful birds in Europe, displaying a rainbow palette of chestnut, gold, and turquoise. True to their name, bee-eaters specialize in catching venomous insects, skillfully removing the stinger before consumption. They nest in colonies, excavating tunnel burrows up to two meters into sandy banks.
Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 389 km/h during its characteristic hunting stoop. Like the bald eagle, peregrines suffered dramatic declines from DDT but have recovered through intensive conservation programs. They have adapted remarkably well to urban environments.