Animalia Life

Merops apiaster
TAXONOMY
Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758, Southern Europe. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Guкpier d’Europe; German: Bienenfresser; Spanish: Abejaruco Europeo.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
9–10 in (23–25 cm), excluding tail streamers of 0.8 in (2 cm); 1.6–2.8 oz (44–78 g). Very distinctive multi-colored plumage. Sexes distinguishable in breeding plumage, with females paler in coloration overall.
DISTRIBUTION
Northwest coast of Africa from Morocco to Libya, Mediterranean islands, countries of the northern Mediterranean east through the Middle East to Pakistan, northern India and Afghanistan. A small breeding population in South Africa and Namibia is largely disjunct from the wintering
DISTRIBUTION
, which extends from Lake Victoria in Kenya, south to the Transvaal, and west to Angola.
HABITAT
Grasslands, open woodlands, pasturelands with scattered trees, and gallery forests in drier habitats.
BEHAVIOR
Gregarious at all times of year, breeding in colonies and remaining in flocks on wintering grounds.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forages primarily from a perch, as is typical of most bee-eaters, but also feeds for considerable periods in continuous flight.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Sometimes a solitary nester, it is more commonly found breeding in colonies, some with as many as 400 nests. Egg-laying occurs during May in the southern part of the range, and June and early July in Russia. South African populations begin breeding in October. Clutch sizes are the largest of any beeeater, with up to 10 eggs, generally five or six. Cooperative breeding is common, with about 20% of nests having a helper.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Probably the most persecuted bee-eater, particularly wherever apiculture (bee-keeping) is an important industry. It is considered a pest in much of its range.

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