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European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

Photo by DoinaRussu
Published on Project Noah
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NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
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44.5667, 26.55

Field Notes

Notes:

Contrary to his reputation of "bee eater", this bird eats with much pleasure and butterflies, flies, bugs, dragonflies and other flying insects.....

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (57)

got to say that this is sooo awesome....love it..
Many thanks everyone for appreciation and kind words!
I agree Ashish,it is Donna who made all of us love the Bee Eater.
This is my best ideal lesson for spotting a bird... Great job..!!
congrats Doina!
Many, many thanks, everyone, for yor support and the kind words!
Congratulations - this is one of my favorite Noah spottings!
Congratulations Doina! Well deserved!
Congratulations Doina. I love all your bee-eaters. :)
Congratulations! This incredible shot was chosen as Spotting of the Day! "Bee-Eaters don't only eat bees! These richly-colored and slender birds eat a variety of insects including butterflies, wasps, and ants which they usually catch in midair!" Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151442220660603&set=a.10151164681410603.791492.10150120463815603&type=1&theater Twitter: http://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/185575732234301440
that´s a really amazing shot.
That is a fantastic picture! Great spotting!!
KatCuff, I'm glad you like it....thanks a lot!
East End, thanks a lot for your appreciation:)
Many thanks , SanjaySaklani, for these additions and perfectly true information!! Have a nice day:)
A perfect catch of a catcher As its name suggests, the European bee-eater feeds on honey bees, but it also consumes a wide variety of other flying insects, especially larger species like dragonflies, when these are available. It often catches prey by making a short flight from a perch such as a tree, fence or power line. When prey is caught, the European bee-eater usually returns to its perch, against which it will strike the insect’s head several times to kill it. The European bee-eater uses a clever way of dealing with stinging insects like bees; after initially hitting the head it wipes the abdomen of the insect on the perch to discharge the sting
Many, many thanks, everyone, for your appreciation!
Really stunning... beautiful photo.
Nopayahnah,thanks a lot for appreciation!
ShaumingLo, thanks a lot for your appreciation!
Nice! you have beautiful BIRD pictures.
AkashSatpathy, many thanks, I'm honored!:)
AzriAzmi, thank you! SatyenMehta, many thanks !
agree with you, alicelongmartin, but... this is nature!:) thank you for visiting!

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