European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
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<birdfyi-bird slug="european-bee-eater"></birdfyi-bird>À propos
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.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 28,0 cm | 11.0 in |
| Envergure | 38,0 cm | 15.0 in |
| Poids | 56,0 g | 1.98 oz |
Identification
Plumage
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.
Bec
Long, slender, slightly decurved black bill
Habitat & Range
Open country with scattered trees, sandy banks, and river cliffs for nesting. Breeds in colonies in tunnels dug into earth banks.
Répartition géographique
Southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Winters in tropical Africa. A long-distance migrant.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily bees, wasps, and hornets caught in flight. Removes stingers by beating prey against a branch before swallowing.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: BU. Incubation: 13-20 days. Fledging: 30-31 days.
Taille de la couvée
4-10
Son
Chant
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.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers) |
| Famille | Meropidae (Bee-eaters) |
| Genus | Merops |
| Espèces | Merops apiaster |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Bienenfresser |
| Spanish | Abejaruco Europeo |
Distribution
European Bee-eater has been recorded in 6 countries.
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External Databases
Foire aux questions
What does the European Bee-eater eat?
Where does the European Bee-eater live?
Is the European Bee-eater endangered?
How does the European Bee-eater nest?
What does the European Bee-eater sound like?
How big is the European Bee-eater?
What order and family does the European Bee-eater belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Meropidae family