European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCoraciiformes (Rollers, Kingfishers, and Allies)
- FamilyMeropidae (Bee-eaters)
- GenusMerops (Typical Bee-eaters)
- SpeciesMerops apiaster (European Bee-eater)
About the European Bee-eater
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a bird species in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It has the largest range of any bee-eater species. It breeds in southern and central Europe, northern and southern Africa, and western Asia. Except for the resident southern African population, the species is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa. This species occurs as a spring overshoot north of its usual range, with occasional breeding in northern Europe.
The European bee-eater was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under its current binomial name Merops apiaster. The genus name Merops (μέροψ) is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and apiaster is Latin, also meaning "bee-eater", from apis, "bee".
This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It has brown and yellow upper parts, whilst the wings are green and the beak is black. It can reach a length of 27–29 cm (10.6–11.4 in), including the two elongated central tail feathers, and weigh 44–78 g (52 g on average). Sexes are alike. Female tends to have greener rather than gold feathers... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of European Bee-eater in Semuliki National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Semuliki National Park
Whitethroated Bee-eater
Merops albicollis
Black Bee-eater
Merops gularis
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Merops persicus
Little Bee-eater
Merops pusillus
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
Merops oreobates
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Merops nubicus
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Merops hirundineus
Red-throated Bee-eater
Merops bulocki
Woodland Kingfisher
Halcyon senegalensis
Blue-breasted Kingfisher
Halcyon malimbica
White-bellied Kingfisher
Corythornis leucogaster
Blue-throated Roller
Eurystomus gularis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a European Bee-eater in Semuliki National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a European Bee-eater sighting in Semuliki National Park, based on 19 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see European Bee-eater in Semuliki National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for European Bee-eater in Semuliki National Park in our monthly data.