European bee-eater

Merops apiaster

Bee-eaters usually catch their diet whilst in flight, snatching flying insects straight out of the air.

Red List

Least Concern

Birds eat dragonflies straight away. Bees and wasps, on the other hand, first kill them by striking them forcefully against a hard surface before eating them. They then knead them with their feet to ensure that the poison glands of the dead insects are emptied.

Taxonomy

Bee-eaters (Meropidae), genus Merops (28 species)

Habitat

open landscapes with scattered trees

Migratory behaviour

European population is moving to Africa

Social structure

in pairs, breeds in colonies