Merops muelleri
The Blue-headed Bee-eater (Merops muelleri) is a striking, small, and compact member of the bee-eater family, measuring approximately 19-20 cm in length, including its short tail streamers. Its most distinctive feature is a vibrant, deep blue crown and nape, framed by a broad black mask that extends through the eye. This contrasts sharply with a brilliant scarlet throat, bordered by a narrow blue line and a broader black band across the breast. The body is predominantly a rich green, brighter...
This species primarily inhabits tropical lowland rainforests, dense secondary growth, and gallery forests, often favoring forest edges and clearings. It is typically found at low to mid-elevations, generally below 1200-1500 meters.
The diet of the Blue-headed Bee-eater consists almost exclusively of insects, predominantly Hymenoptera such as bees and wasps, but also includes dragonflies, butterflies, and flies. It primarily hunts through aerial hawking, catching prey on the wing.
The Blue-headed Bee-eater is a diurnal and highly aerial insectivore, typically foraging from a low, concealed perch within the forest understory. It employs a sallying technique, darting out rapidly to snatch flying insects mid-air before returning to its perch, where it often processes its prey...
The Blue-headed Bee-eater is a resident species found exclusively in equatorial Africa, with a stable geographic distribution. Two subspecies delineate its range: the nominate *Merops muelleri muelleri* primarily inhabits western Central Africa, extending from southeastern Nigeria through Cameroo...
Least Concern
- Unlike most bee-eaters that prefer open habitats, the Blue-headed Bee-eater is uniquely adapted to dense tropical rainforests. - It performs a specialized 'de-stinging' ritual, rubbing venomous insects against a branch to remove their sting before consumption. - The intense blue of its head pro...