What do European bee-eaters eat?
As their name suggests, European Bee-eaters do eat bees. However, they also eat other large insects such as hornets, wasps, ants, dragonflies and locusts.
Are European bee-eaters endangered?
Least Concern (Population stable)European bee-eater / Conservation status
What does a European bee-eater look like?
European bee-eaters are among the most colorful of all the bee-eater birds. They can be identified by their slender form, bright yellow throat, rusty-colored crown, turquoise under-parts, and yellowy backs. The sharp colors starkly contrast against the striking black beak and mask-like eye bands.
Where is the European bee-eater found?
The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India and Sri Lanka.
Do bee-eaters eat wasps?
As their name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught on the wing from an open perch.
Why do bee-eaters not get stung?
They have heavy, scale-like feathers on their heads to prevent them from being stung, and are thought to have a chemical deterrent in their feathers to protect them from attacks.
How fast do bee-eaters fly?
about 30 miles per hour
Their wingspan can be anywhere between 1.5 feet and 20 inches. They weigh an average of two ounces, with some slightly heavier and some slightly lighter. Their top-flight speed is about 30 miles per hour. The European Bee-Eater’s call is a high-pitched and fast-paced trill that has a very sweet sound.
What is a European bee-eater?
The European bee-eater ( Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa. This species occurs as a spring overshoot north of its range, with occasional breeding in northwest Europe.
What does a European bee eater bird look like?
European bee-eaters are among the most colorful of all the bee-eater birds. They can be identified by their slender form, bright yellow throat, rusty-colored crown, turquoise under-parts, and yellowy backs.
How does the European bee-eater eat bees?
Before eating a bee, the European bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface. It can eat around 250 bees a day.
What is the size of a European bee?
The slender European Bee-eaters measure 9.8 – 11.4 inches (25 – 29 cm) in length (including the two elongated central tail feathers) and have a wingspan of 14.1 – 15.6 inches (36 – 40 cm).