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European bee eater, abejaruco

Merops apiaster

Description:

This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly-coloured, slender bird. It has brown and yellow upper parts, whilst the wings are green and the beak is black. It can reach a length of 27–29 cm (10.6–11.4 in), including the two elongated central tail feathers. Sexes are alike. Just as the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. Before eating its meal, a European Bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface. It eats some 250 bees daily. Lizards and frogs are also taken. These bee-eaters are gregarious, nesting colonially in sandy banks, preferably near river shores, usually at the beginning of May. They make a relatively long tunnel in which the 5 to 8, spherical white eggs are laid around the beginning of June. Both the male and the female take care of the eggs, which are brooded for about 3 weeks. These birds also feed and roost communally.

Habitat:

This ones were observed in El Retiro, a park in the center of Madrid

Notes:

spanish name: abejaruco

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3 Comments

arlanda
arlanda 12 years ago

Added to the Hunter & Animal Food Habits mission

arlanda
arlanda 12 years ago

Thanks Ava

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 12 years ago

This spotting could go in the Hunter mission at http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8463...

arlanda
Spotted by
arlanda

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Spotted on Apr 9, 2009
Submitted on Jan 17, 2012

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