European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) – A Detailed Study

Taxonomy & Classification

• Scientific Name: Merops apiaster
• Common Name: European Bee-eater
• Family: Meropidae (Bee-eater family)
• Order: Coraciiformes
• Genus: Merops
• Species: apiaster

The European Bee-eater is one of the most striking and colorful members of the Meropidae family, known for its migratory behavior and preference for open landscapes. Unlike some of its relatives, it breeds in temperate regions of Europe and North Africa before migrating to warmer climates in winter.

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Morphological Features

Size & Dimensions

• Length: 25–29 cm (9.8–11.4 inches)
• Wingspan: 36–40 cm (14.2–15.7 inches)
• Weight: Around 45–55 grams

Coloration & Plumage

• Head & Crown: Rich golden-brown
• Throat: Bright yellow with a black border
• Back & Upperparts: Chestnut-brown, fading into a vibrant turquoise-blue
• Underparts: Aqua blue to greenish-blue
• Wings: A mix of green, blue, and chestnut hues
• Tail: Long, slightly pointed, and blue-green with black tips
• Eyes: Deep red
• Beak: Long, curved, and black
• Legs & Feet: Dark greyish-brown

Distinctive Features

• Highly vibrant plumage, among the most colorful birds in Europe.
• Long, pointed wings for swift and agile flight.
• Slender and curved beak, designed for catching flying insects.
• Social behavior, often seen in flocks during migration and breeding seasons.

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Habitat & Distribution

General Habitat

The European Bee-eater prefers open landscapes and is found in:

• Grasslands and meadows
• Sandy riverbanks and cliffs
• Coastal and inland wetlands
• Orchards, farmland, and rural areas
• Semi-arid regions with sparse vegetation

Global Distribution

It breeds in temperate regions of Europe, North Africa, and western Asia before migrating to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter.

Breeding Range:

• Europe: Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia
• North Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Egypt
• Western and Central Asia: Iran, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan

Wintering Range:

• Sub-Saharan Africa: Senegal, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa
• Indian Subcontinent (occasional winter visitor): Pakistan, northwest India

Presence in Sundarban

• Rare visitor to Sundarban, usually observed during migration in autumn (September–October) and spring (March–April).
• Some individuals may stop in Sundarban’s coastal areas while migrating towards Africa or southern India.
• It does not breed in Sundarban, as it prefers drier, sandy landscapes for nesting.

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Diet & Feeding Behavior

The European Bee-eater is an aerial insectivore, with a diet primarily consisting of:

• Bees and wasps (hence its name)
• Dragonflies and damselflies
• Butterflies and moths
• Grasshoppers and locusts
• Flying ants and beetles

Hunting Techniques

• Catches insects in mid-air using swift, acrobatic flight.
• Often perches on wires, branches, or rocks before launching into flight.
• Removes the stinger of bees and wasps by repeatedly beating them against a hard surface before consumption.
• Hunts in flocks, engaging in coordinated aerial maneuvers.

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Breeding & Nesting

• Breeding Season: May to July
• Nesting Sites: Prefers sandbanks, riverbanks, and eroded cliffs where it excavates burrows.
• Nesting Style:
  • Both male and female dig tunnels that can be 1–2 meters deep.
  • The nesting chamber is located at the end of the tunnel.
• Eggs: Usually 4–7 white eggs per clutch.
• Incubation Period: Around 20–22 days.
• Parental Care:
  • Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
  • Fledglings leave the nest after 30 days but remain with the parents for some time.

Nesting in Sundarban

• Since the Sundarban ecosystem is mostly mangrove-based, the European Bee-eater does not nest here.
• Prefers drier, sandy cliffs found in regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and central India for nesting.

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Vocalization & Communication

• Call: A soft, rolling “prruup-prruup” or “krree-krree” sound, often given in flight.
• Purpose:
  • Used for flock communication during migration.
  • Mating calls and territorial defense.
  • Alarm signals when predators are nearby.

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Conservation Status & Threats

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

Despite its stable population, it faces certain threats, including:

• Habitat destruction due to agriculture, urbanization, and deforestation.
• Pesticide use in farmlands, reducing insect populations.
• Disturbance at breeding sites, especially from sand mining and human activities.
• Climate change, affecting migration patterns and food availability.

Conservation Efforts in Sundarban

• Though not a resident species, Sundarban’s conservation initiatives contribute to migratory bird protection.
• Eco-tourism regulations and habitat preservation benefit stopover migrants like the European Bee-eater.

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Ecological Role in Sundarban

• Controls populations of bees, wasps, and flying insects, contributing to a balanced ecosystem.
• Provides prey for raptors such as falcons and hawks.
• Helps pollination indirectly, as it favors regions rich in flowering plants, leading to increased bee activity.

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Conclusion

The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is one of the most strikingly beautiful and ecologically important insectivorous birds in the world. While it is not a permanent resident of Sundarban, it occasionally visits the region during migration, making it an exciting sight for birdwatchers.

With proper conservation of wetlands, insect populations, and nesting sites, this magnificent species will continue to grace the skies across Europe, Asia, and Africa, playing a vital role in maintaining biodiversity.