Page 256 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

KINGFISHERS, BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS,AND HOOPOE
Order Coraciiformes Family Meropidae Species Merops apiaster
Bee-eater

long, pointed
dark cap (greener bill
on juvenile)
dark wings
with bronze
patch golden-yellow
on shoulders large
yellow
throat
ADULT
central
spike to tail
(short on
juvenile)
red-brown back
(greener on
juvenile)
IN FLIGHT
clear green-blue
underside ADULT (AT NEST)

FLIGHT: rises on stiff, fast-beating wings; stalls, translucent silver and ADULT
circles, and glides down, or chases prey with further copper underwings
beats of wings and flat-winged glides.
ADULT
tail spike may
ne of the more colourful of Europe’s break off
Obirds, the Bee-eater is unique also in long tail
its shape, actions, and calls: these combine
to make it easy to identify even without
its colour.There are, however, several black
edge
similar species in Africa and the Middle
East.Bee-eaters often perch on wires,and
so are easy to see from moving vehicles
beside roads; they also fly around calling,
drawing attention to themselves, and breed
in colonies.They do indeed eat bees and seem
to be somewhat immune to bee and wasp stings,
although they do wipe away the stings of their prey SOCIAL BIRDS
before swallowing them.With care, Bee-eaters can Bee-eaters are found
be watched closely around breeding colonies and in flocks all year round
take little notice of people while feeding in elegant, and frequently perch
swooping flight. almost shoulder to
VOICE Distinctive, far- SIMILAR SPECIES shoulder.
carrying, deep, quite
STARLING OCCURRENCE
liquid notes, prroop prroop. 32; similar Breeds in S and E Europe, north
NESTING Burrows in basic shape; to C France and Alps in summer.
see p.372
sandy banks or even Rare migrant farther north in spring
flatter ground; 4–7 eggs; or autumn. Usually in warm, often
1 brood; May–June. shorter sandy areas with orchards, bushy
FEEDING Catches insects wings areas, open grassland, and low
in flight, in prolonged, fast earth cliffs.
swoops and slow, gliding Seen in the UK
flights or sallies from perch. JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 27–29cm (10 1 ⁄2 –11 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 36–40cm (14–16in) Weight 50–70g (1 3 ⁄4 –2 1 ⁄2oz)
Social Flocks Lifespan 5–10 years Status Declining
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