Species Profile
European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
5–7 years
Length
27–29 cm
Weight
45–80 g
Wingspan
44–49 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Bee-eater, Eurasian Bee Eater
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Appearance
Roughly the same size as a Starling, the European Bee-eater is a strikingly colourful bird with a slender body. Its back and wings are chestnut and gold, contrasting with a turquoise belly and throat. The face is marked with a black eye stripe and yellow cheeks.
Both sexes are similar, though males may have slightly brighter plumage. Juveniles are duller, with a green-tinged back and lack adults' elongated central tail feathers.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Blue
- Secondary
- Brown
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Brown
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
European Bee-eaters inhabit open country, preferring areas with scattered trees, riverbanks, and sandy cliffs for nesting. They breed across southern Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia.
During winter, they migrate to tropical Africa. They are rare but increasing summer visitors in the UK, with occasional breeding attempts in southern England.
Distribution
Diet
As their name suggests, European Bee-eaters primarily feed on flying insects, especially bees and wasps. They catch prey in flight and return to a perch to remove the sting before eating. Their diet also includes dragonflies, butterflies, and other large insects.
Behaviour
European Bee-eaters are highly social, often seen perching in groups on wires or bare branches. When hunting, they perform acrobatic aerial displays, catching insects mid-flight with remarkable agility. During courtship, males offer females insects as gifts, strengthening pair bonds.
Calls & Sounds
The European Bee-eater's call is a distinctive, mellow 'pruik' or 'prruup'. This sound is often heard as the birds fly overhead or perch in groups. During courtship and pair bonding, they produce a soft, purring trill that sounds like 'prr-r-r-r-r'.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July, with pairs often nesting in small colonies. European Bee-eaters are monogamous and engage in elaborate courtship displays.
They excavate long tunnels in sandy banks or cliffs, creating a nesting chamber at the end. The female lays 4-7 glossy white eggs in the bare chamber.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 20 days. Chicks fledge after 30-31 days but continue to be fed by parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, European Bee-eaters face threats from habitat loss and pesticide use. Climate change may affect their migration patterns and breeding success. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and reducing pesticide use in their habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in open country near rivers or sandy banks
- Listen for their distinctive, bubbling 'prru-prru' call
- Watch for their colourful plumage catching sunlight as they swoop for insects
- In the UK, check coastal areas during spring and autumn migration
Did You Know?
- European Bee-eaters can catch and eat venomous insects without being stung.
- They have excellent eyesight, capable of spotting a bee from 60 meters away.
- Some individuals migrate up to 10,000 kilometres annually between Europe and Africa.
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