Skip to main content
Close

European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

Photo by Bernadette S
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

29.972, 31.2776

Field Notes

Description:

This species, like other bee-eaters, 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 a length of 27–29 cm (10.6–11.4 in), including the two elongated central tail feathers. Sexes are alike.
Just as the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. Before eating its meal, a European Bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface. It eats some 250 bees daily. Lizards and frogs are also taken.(wiki)

Habitat:

migrant through Egypt in spring and autumn

Notes:

spotted from my 6th floor balcony in Ma'adi, Cairo

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)

Love the coloring of the bee-eaters!
They are, aren't they?! My absolute favorite bird - I would sit and watch them for hours on my balcony every afternoon when there were in town. :-)

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon