beeeaters

Bee-eaters are a group of small to medium-sized, colorful birds in the family Meropidae. They occur across sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Europe and Asia, and in Australia. The group is best known for aerially catching bees and wasps, a feeding habit that gives them their name.

They typically measure about 14–22 cm in length, with long, pointed wings and a slender, slightly curved bill. Plumage is often vivid, with green backs, blue or turquoise throats, and chestnut or yellow underparts. Most species show little sexual dimorphism.

Bee-eaters hunt by sallies from perches, pursuing insects in the air and returning to a perch after each catch. They feed in loose flocks or mixed-species groups in open woodlands, savannas, and farmland. After capturing a bee or wasp, they usually remove the sting by rubbing the prey on a branch before swallowing it.

Breeding typically involves hollow nests dug into sandy banks or termite mounds, with colonies often present at a single site. Clutches range from about three to seven eggs, and both parents incubate and feed the young. Young birds fledge after a few weeks, depending on species.

Many bee-eaters are migratory, with African or tropical populations moving seasonally in response to food availability. Conservation status varies by species, but most are listed as Least Concern. Local threats include habitat loss, pesticide use, and disturbance at nesting sites.