Merops lafresnayii
The Ethiopian Bee-eater (*Merops lafresnayii*) is a resplendent member of the bee-eater family, Meropidae, distinguished by its vibrant green plumage, golden-orange crown, and a contrasting black eye-stripe set against a white forehead. Measuring approximately 17-19 cm in length, including its characteristic elongated central tail streamers which can add up to 6 cm, this species has a slender, decurved black bill. Its undersides are a paler green to yellowish-green, complemented by a striking...
Found in montane woodlands, acacia savannas, and juniper forests, typically inhabiting open areas with scattered trees, often near water or erosion banks, at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 meters.
Feeds predominantly on flying insects, with a strong preference for Hymenoptera (bees, wasps) and Odonata (dragonflies), captured via aerial hawking from a perch.
A diurnal and often social bird, the Ethiopian Bee-eater typically perches conspicuously on elevated spots such as branches, wires, or dead snags, patiently awaiting prey. Its primary foraging strategy involves hawking, where it sally-flies from its perch to snatch flying insects in mid-air with ...
The Ethiopian Bee-eater is largely resident and endemic to the Afrotropical region, primarily concentrated in the Ethiopian Highlands and surrounding areas of the Horn of Africa. Its core breeding and resident range spans across central and northern Ethiopia, extending into Eritrea, and with pote...
Least Concern
- Named after Frédéric de Lafresnaye, a prominent 19th-century French ornithologist. - Possesses an extraordinary ability to de-sting bees and wasps by repeatedly striking them against a perch before consumption, eliminating the venom. - Despite its vivid colors, its plumage offers excellent camo...