Bee-eaters · Rollers and kingfishers
European Bee-eater
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Merops apiaster
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Voice
Call
Thomas SIGNEAU
Song
wilmet sebastien
Alarm
wilmet sebastien
How to recognize it
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23–30 cm, smaller than a pigeon, very slim
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Blue belly, chestnut-brown back, wings mixed brown and green
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Black stripe from bill base to eyes, yellow throat
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Fast flight with bursts of flapping and gliding; call "prreee"
About the species
The European Bee-eater stands out right away for its bright colours and slim shape. Adults also have a long curved bill and elongated tail feathers, while younger ones look a little duller and shorter-tailed.
It spends a lot of time on the wing and often appears in groups. Flight is agile, with quick wingbeats mixed with gliding, and on the ground it seems less sure of itself. Its voice is soft but easy to notice.
It lives in colonies in open country, nesting in sandy or clay banks, often near villages and rivers. It feeds mainly on insects, especially bees, wasps, and bumblebees. In many places it is a migrant, spending winter in tropical Africa or India.
Sources
- eBird — Merops apiaster Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — European bee-eater Encyclopedia article