Merops superciliosus
The Olive Bee-eater (*Merops superciliosus*) is a stunningly vibrant member of the Coraciiformes order, characterized by its striking olive-green plumage, bright yellow throat, and a prominent black eye-stripe that gives it its specific epithet-derived from 'supercilious,' referring to the eyebrow. Reaching about 23-26 cm in length, excluding its elegant central tail streamers which can add another 5-8 cm, and weighing 38-56g, this species showcases a sleek, aerodynamic form. Distinctive fiel...
Found in open woodlands, savannas, riverine forests, clearings, and coastal lowlands, typically near water bodies. Occurs from sea level up to approximately 2000 meters in elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding almost exclusively on flying insects, with a strong preference for bees, wasps, and hornets. Foraging is conducted via aerial hawking from perches or during sustained flight.
Olive Bee-eaters are highly active, diurnal birds, often observed foraging throughout the day and gathering in communal roosts at night, sometimes in large numbers within dense vegetation. Their foraging strategy primarily involves aerial hawking, where they sally from exposed perches or during s...
The Olive Bee-eater (*Merops superciliosus*) has an extensive distribution across sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. The nominate subspecies, *M. s. superciliosus*, is found throughout continental Africa, ranging from Senegal and Mauritania eastwards to Somalia, and south through much of East Afr...
Least Concern
- The Olive Bee-eater can remove the venomous stingers from bees and wasps by repeatedly rubbing the insect against a perch before consumption, a remarkable adaptation. - Despite their name, bees and wasps make up only part of their diet; they are opportunistic predators of various flying insects...