Merops americanus
The Rufous-crowned Bee-eater (Merops americanus) is a dazzling, medium-sized bird renowned for its vibrant plumage and aerial agility. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm in length, including its elongated central tail feathers, it sports a distinct rufous-orange crown that contrasts sharply with a bright green body and iridescent blue-green underparts. A prominent black eye-stripe extends from the lore, often bordered by a thin blue line, and its throat is typically a rich yellow, fading to an ...
This species primarily inhabits open woodlands, savanna edges, riverine forests, and cultivated areas with scattered trees, favoring areas with sandy banks for nesting. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,500 meters, but occasionally higher.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of flying insects, with a strong preference for Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, hornets) and Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies), supplemented by butterflies and other winged invertebrates. They capture prey aerially from a perch.
Rufous-crowned Bee-eaters are highly diurnal and exceptionally social birds, often seen perched conspicuously on exposed branches or power lines in small, vocal flocks. Their primary foraging strategy involves aerial hawking, where they sally forth from a perch to capture flying insects, returnin...
The Rufous-crowned Bee-eater exhibits a widespread but somewhat fragmented distribution across Central and northern South America. Its primary breeding range extends from southern Mexico, through Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, continuing into the northern reaches of Colom...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-crowned Bee-eater has a specialized technique to remove the stinger and venom from bees and wasps by repeatedly striking the insect on a perch, a fascinating example of tool-like behavior. - They are highly colonial nesters, often digging burrows deep into sandy riverbanks or earth c...