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European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

Photo by DoinaRussu
Published on Project Noah
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44.5667, 26.55

Field Notes

Description:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Bee-eater

http://www.nature-pictures.org/image/164/389/

http://www.nature-pictures.org/image/164/389/ - sound

Notes:

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

Reference Links:

European Bee-eaterhttp://www.nature-pictures.org/image/164/389/

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (57)
Sew
got to say that this is sooo awesome....love it..
DoinaRussu
Many thanks everyone for appreciation and kind words!
HemaShah
I agree Ashish,it is Donna who made all of us love the Bee Eater.
Ashish
This is my best ideal lesson for spotting a bird... Great job..!!
Atul
congrats Doina!
DoinaRussu
Many, many thanks, everyone, for yor support and the kind words!
Maria dB
Congratulations - this is one of my favorite Noah spottings!
KarenL
Congratulations Doina! Well deserved!
textless
Congratulations Doina. I love all your bee-eaters. :)
Yasser
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
Hans.New
that´s a really amazing shot.
Kate Russo
That is a fantastic picture! Great spotting!!
DoinaRussu
KatCuff, I'm glad you like it....thanks a lot!
DoinaRussu
East End, thanks a lot for your appreciation:)
DoinaRussu
Many thanks , SanjaySaklani, for these additions and perfectly true information!! Have a nice day:)
SanjaySaklani
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
DoinaRussu
Many, many thanks, everyone, for your appreciation!
textless
Really stunning... beautiful photo.
DoinaRussu
Nopayahnah,thanks a lot for appreciation!
DoinaRussu
ShaumingLo, thanks a lot for your appreciation!
ShaumingLo
Nice! you have beautiful BIRD pictures.
DoinaRussu
AkashSatpathy, many thanks, I'm honored!:)
DoinaRussu
AzriAzmi, thank you! SatyenMehta, many thanks !
DoinaRussu
agree with you, alicelongmartin, but... this is nature!:) thank you for visiting!

Spotted for Missions

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Birds of the World
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2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 8, 2012

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