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European Bee-eater
Merops apiasterA brilliantly coloured migrant that patrols Tanzanian skies for flying insects.
The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a slender member of the bee-eater family Meropidae, recognised by its vivid green, blue, yellow and chestnut plumage, pointed wings and long slightly downcurved bill. It breeds across Europe and western and central Asia and migrates to Africa, where Tanzania is part of its seasonal range.
European Bee-eater Quick Facts
What Is the European Bee-eater?
The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a colourful medium-sized bee-eater in the family Meropidae. Its vivid green, blue, yellow and chestnut plumage makes it one of the most striking insect-eating migrants seen in Tanzania.
The species breeds mainly in Europe and western and central Asia before undertaking long-distance migration to African wintering grounds. In Tanzania it is a seasonal visitor rather than a resident breeder, and its movements are closely tied to insect abundance and suitable open feeding habitat.
European Bee-eaters favour open country near rivers, wetlands, savanna edges, agricultural landscapes and other places where flying insects gather. They often use exposed branches, wires or fence posts as hunting perches.
How to Identify a European Bee-eater
European Bee-eaters are best identified by their slim shape, long pointed wings, slightly downcurved bill and brilliant combination of green, blue, yellow and chestnut plumage.
- Crown: Rich chestnut-brown crown and forehead.
- Throat: Bright yellow throat patch framed by black.
- Face: Bold black eye-stripe and slender pointed bill.
- Wings: Long, pointed wings suited to fast aerial pursuit.
- Tail: Central tail feathers are elongated in adults.
- Size: Roughly 27–29 cm long.
Distinguishing from Other Eagles
The species is distinguished from other bee-eaters by its chestnut crown, bright yellow throat bordered by black, green upperparts, blue-green lowerparts and elongated central tail feathers in adults.
Behavior & Social Life
European Bee-eaters are social birds that may travel and feed in loose groups. They perch conspicuously between flights and become especially active when flying insects are abundant.
Daily Activity
- Hunting: Launches from a perch to intercept flying insects, often returning to the same lookout.
- Flight: Fast and agile, combining rapid wingbeats with controlled pursuit of prey.
- Vocalization: Contact calls help maintain cohesion in feeding and travelling groups.
Migration
Migration is central to the species’ life cycle. Birds breeding in Eurasia move south into Africa after breeding and return north during the following spring.
Habitat & Distribution
Across its breeding and wintering range, the European Bee-eater uses open habitats where insects are plentiful and nesting substrates are available:
- Open woodland and savanna edges.
- River valleys, floodplains and wetland margins.
- Pasture, farmland and lightly wooded country.
- Sandy banks and soft ground suitable for nesting tunnels.
Distribution: The species breeds from Europe through western and central Asia and migrates south into Africa. Tanzania forms part of its African migratory range rather than its principal breeding range.
Tanzania Distribution
Tanzania Distribution: Documented records include Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and Mkomazi, where seasonal migrants can use insect-rich open habitats during their African stay.
European Bee-eater in Tanzania
European Bee-eaters are seasonal visitors to Tanzania. The best opportunities come when migration brings birds to insect-rich plains, woodland edges and wetland landscapes.
Lake Manyara National Park
European Bee-eaters have been photographed around Lake Manyara and its surrounding habitats.
Lake Manyara safariTarangire National Park
The species is documented at Tarangire, including migrants using open woodland as feeding habitat.
Tarangire safariSerengeti National Park
Seasonal records occur in the Serengeti, where open plains and woodland corridors support aerial insect feeding.
Serengeti safariMkomazi National Park
The Mkomazi bird checklist includes European Bee-eater as a recorded migrant species.
Mkomazi safariSafari Methods
- Game drives through open woodland, plains and wetland edges.
- Dedicated birdwatching from quiet viewpoints and camp surroundings.
- Photography of aerial feeding flocks and perched birds.
Best Time to See Them
Best Time to See Them: During Tanzania’s Palearctic migration periods, when seasonal conditions can concentrate flying insects. Sightings remain opportunistic because the species is migratory.
Diet & Feeding
The European Bee-eater is an aerial insectivore whose diet is dominated by flying insects captured on the wing.
Food Sources
- Bees and wasps: Important prey despite the bird’s common name.
- Dragonflies and damselflies: Taken during active aerial foraging.
- Beetles: Captured when locally abundant.
- Other flying insects: The aerial hunting method supports a flexible seasonal diet.
Hunting Behavior
Hunting Behavior: A bird waits from an exposed perch, launches at a passing insect and often returns to the same perch. Bees and wasps may be beaten against the perch before swallowing, helping reduce the danger from stings.
Breeding & Life Cycle
European Bee-eaters usually breed colonially, excavating nesting tunnels in sandy banks, earth walls or other soft substrates. The colony setting allows many pairs to breed close together where suitable banks exist.
Nesting
- Nest: A tunnel excavated in a sandy bank or other soft substrate.
- Eggs: Usually about 5–7 white eggs.
- Incubation: About 20 days, shared by male and female.
Chicks
Chicks develop in the underground nesting chamber and are fed by adults. After fledging, young birds continue receiving food while they learn to catch flying insects efficiently.
Conservation Status
The European Bee-eater is assessed globally as Least Concern.
Its very large breeding and non-breeding range keeps it well outside the global thresholds for threatened status, although local breeding colonies and migration stopovers can still be affected by habitat change.
Conservation priorities include protecting nesting banks, maintaining insect-rich landscapes and reducing unnecessary disturbance at breeding colonies and important feeding sites.
- Loss or alteration of suitable nesting banks and feeding habitat.
- Declines in flying insects linked to intensive land use and pesticide pressure.
Comparisons
European Bee-eaters can be confused with other colourful bee-eaters during migration. These field differences are especially useful in Tanzania:
| Feature | European Bee-eater | Blue-cheeked Bee-eater | White-throated Bee-eater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 27–29 cm | 27–29 cm | 24–26 cm |
| Tail | Elongated central feathers in adults | Elongated central feathers | Generally shorter |
| Throat | Yellow, bordered by black | Pale yellow to yellowish | White |
| Plumage | Green, blue, chestnut and yellow | Blue-green with chestnut crown | Green with white throat |
| Habitat | Open country, river valleys, woodland edges | Open country and wetlands | Woodland, savanna and open country |
| Migration | Palearctic migrant to Africa | Palearctic migrant to Africa | African migrant |
Did You Know?
Long-Distance Migrant
It travels between Eurasian breeding grounds and African wintering areas each year.
Aerial Hunter
It catches many prey items in mid-air, launching from exposed perches.
Bee Specialist
Bees and wasps are important prey alongside many other flying insects.
Colony Breeder
Pairs often nest together in colonies where suitable sandy banks exist.
Golden Throat
The bright yellow throat bordered by black is a strong field mark.
Seasonal Visitor
Tanzania records are seasonal and include Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and Mkomazi.
There is something almost theatrical about a European Bee-eater in flight: a flash of green, chestnut, yellow and blue followed by a sudden turn as it intercepts an insect in open air. In Tanzania, seeing one is a reminder that safari landscapes are connected to migration routes stretching far beyond Africa. The best sightings often come when birders slow down, watch the sky and notice the rhythm of repeated flights from one favourite perch.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a colourful member of the bee-eater family Meropidae, known for aerial insect hunting and long-distance migration between Eurasia and Africa.
Documented Tanzanian localities include Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and Mkomazi, with sightings varying by season and local conditions.
It mainly catches flying insects such as bees, wasps, dragonflies and beetles in aerial pursuit.
No. It is currently assessed globally as Least Concern, although local breeding and migration habitats can still face pressure.
Bees and wasps are important prey, and the species has specialised aerial hunting behaviour for catching flying insects.
It excavates a tunnel nest in sandy soil or banks and typically lays about 5–7 eggs; incubation averages about 20 days and is shared by both adults.
Look for the green body, chestnut crown, yellow throat bordered by black, black eye-stripe, pointed wings and elongated central tail feathers in adults.
No. Tanzania is part of its migratory range, so sightings are seasonal rather than representing a resident breeding population.
References & Further Reading
- Tanzania Birds – European Bee-eater species page: records from Lake Manyara, Magara and Tarangire, and description as a Palearctic migrant.
- Tanzania Birds checklist – Merops apiaster listed among Tanzania’s bee-eaters.
- Natural History Museum of Denmark – Merops apiaster specimen record from Kidugallo, Tanzania; IUCN status Least Concern.
- BTO BirdFacts – Merops apiaster taxonomy, family Meropidae, clutch and incubation information.
- BirdLife International DataZone – current bird taxonomy framework and Red List assessment context.
- World Bird Names – European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, Least Concern and taxonomy.
- Animal Diversity Web – ecology and conservation background for European Bee-eater.
