Merops viridissimus
The African Green Bee-eater, or more precisely, the Lesser Green Bee-eater (Merops viridissimus), is a dazzling jewel of the African savanna, renowned for its brilliant emerald plumage and graceful aerial acrobatics. Measuring approximately 16-18 cm in length, including its subtly elongated central tail feathers, this slender bird is dominated by iridescent green, accented by a striking black stripe across the eye, a variable rufous to yellow throat patch, and a coppery-rufous wash on the und...
Found in a variety of open, semi-arid habitats including savannas, thornbush, scrubland, open woodlands, and cultivation, often near water sources or sandy banks suitable for nesting, typically at lower to mid-elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, with a strong preference for bees, wasps, and hornets, but also consuming dragonflies, butterflies, flies, and other aerial insects, caught exclusively in flight.
Diurnal and highly social, African Green Bee-eaters are often seen in small groups or colonies, particularly during the breeding season, roosting communally in dense vegetation. They are expert aerial hunters, typically sallying from prominent perches such as bare branches, power lines, or even l...
The African Green Bee-eater (Merops viridissimus), specifically the Lesser Green Bee-eater, occupies a broad belt across sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary breeding range extends from Senegal and Gambia in the west, eastward through Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea. While largely a resident spe...
Least Concern
- Despite their name, African Green Bee-eaters are not strictly confined to bees; they consume a wide variety of flying insects. - They have a remarkable ability to remove the stinger from bees and wasps by rubbing them on a perch before consumption. - These bee-eaters often nest in large colonie...