Green Bee-Eater
The green bee-eater is a small, brightly colored bird that is found in Africa, Europe and Asia. These birds are well known for their beautiful plumage and their interesting behavior. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at these birds and learn more about their fascinating creatures. We will also discuss some of the things that make them unique among other bird species. So if you are interested in learning more about them, keep reading!
Green Bee-Eater scientific name
The scientific name for this bird is Merops orientalis. It is a member of the family Meropidae, which consists of all the bee-eaters. It is about 25 cm long and has a long down-curved bill. The back, wings and tail are green, the head is blue, and the throat and belly are orange. There are two races of this bird, M. o. orientalis, which breeds in southern Asia from India to China, and M. o. philippinus which breeds in the Philippines and southern Palawan. Both races have green upperparts, and blue heads with orange throats, but M. o. philippinus has an orange breast while M. o. orientalis has a blue breast.
The adult male of both races has a black line through the eye, but the female does not have this mark. The juvenile resembles the adult female but has browner upperparts and no black line through the eye. The scientific name for this bird was given by Carl Linnaeus, who was a Swedish naturalist in 1758. The name Merops orientalis is from Latin and Greek origins, with Merops meaning “bee-eater” and orientalis meaning “from the east.” This refers to where the bird is found, in eastern regions such as India and China.
Green Bee-Eater physical appearance
It is a brightly colored bird found in Africa and parts of Asia. As its name suggests, this bird primarily on bees, wasps, and other flying insects. It has a slender body and long tail, and its plumage is mostly green with blue and yellow highlights. It is a social creature, often seen in small flocks. It nests in colonies, digging long tunnel-like nests in banks or cliffs. Furthermore, it is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, its numbers have declined in recent years due to habitat loss and degradation.
Green Bee-Eater habitat
It is a colorful bird found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. It gets its name from its habit of perching on branches and waiting to snare bees, wasps and other flying insects in mid-air. Although it will also eat dragonflies, lacewings and other small prey, bees are its favorite food. It nests in holes in trees or banks, often using the abandoned nests of other birds.
A typical clutch comprises 3-6 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for around two weeks. Once hatched, the chicks are cared for by their parents for a further three to four weeks before they fledge and strike out on their own. It is a social bird, often forming flocks of up to 100 individuals outside of the breeding season. When not breeding, these flocks roost communally in trees or reedbeds. Given the right conditions, this bird is a relatively long-lived bird, with a lifespan of up to 15 years in the wild.
Green Bee-Eater behavior
They are a type of small bird that is found in Africa and parts of Asia. They get their name from their diet, which consists primarily of bees and other insects. These birds are known for their bright green plumage and for their long, curved beaks. They are also known for their interesting behavior. For example, when they spot a bee, they will fly into the air and catch the bee in midair. They will then return to their perch and bash the bee against a hard surface until it is killed. Only then will they eat it. These birds are also known to line their nests with leaves in order to deter predators. This behavior helps to keep their young safe from harm. As a result, they are fascinating creatures that are well worth studying.
Green Bee-Eater diet
It is a beautiful little bird that is found all over Africa. It has a very distinctive call which sounds like a “tchew, tchew” or “chiff, chiff.” It is a very small bird and is only about 13 cm long. It has a very slim body and a long tail. It is a very colorful bird with a green back, wings and tail. The underside is white with some black markings. The head is blue with a black stripe running through the eye. The bill is black, and the legs are pink. They eat insects, especially bees and wasps. It catches its prey in the air and then returns to perch on a branch, where it kills the insect by hitting it against the branch. It also eats other insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies and termites.
It nests in burrows in the ground or in holes in trees. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs which hatch after about 2 weeks. Both parents share in the duties of incubating the eggs and feeding the young birds. When the young birds are about 4 weeks, old they leave the nest and fend for themselves.
Green Bee-Eater interesting facts
It is a slender bird with iridescent green plumage. It has a long tail and a curved beak. The male and female are similar in appearance. These birds are found in woodland and scrub habitats in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. They eat insects, especially bees and wasps. These birds breed from March to August. The female lays 2 to 6 eggs in a nest made of grass and bark, which is built in a tree or bush. Both parents help to incubate the eggs and care for the young birds. Interesting facts about them include:
- These birds are gregarious and often seen in pairs or small flocks.
- They have a slow, undulating flight.
- The call of the Green Bee-eater is a high-pitched “tjee.”
- These birds are also known as bee martins.
Green Bee-Eater threats and predators
It is a beautiful bird found all over Africa. It eats bees and wasps and is an important part of the ecosystem. However, this bird is threatened by many things, including deforestation, climate change, and pesticide use. Deforestation destroys their natural habitat, making them difficult to find food and shelter. Climate change alters the climate in Africa, making it harder for these birds to survive. Pesticide use kills bees and wasps, which are their main food source. All of these threats are serious and need to be addressed in order to protect this important bird.
FAQ’s
Is the bee-eater a carnivore?
Research has shown that the name of the green bee-eaters suggests that these creatures feed on bees and other stinging insects. These tiny creatures are considered carnivores, and their diet include dragonflies, flies, bees, wasps, hornets, etc.
Conclusion
It is a beautiful bird that can be found in many parts of the world. These birds are interesting to watch because they are very active and playful. If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to go see these amazing creatures in person. Who knows, maybe you will even get to see them catching some pesky bugs!