European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

This vibrant aerial acrobat swoops through European skies, snatching bees and wasps mid-flight with precision and flair.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

Roughly the same size as a Starling, the European Bee-eater is a strikingly colourful bird with a slender body. Its back and wings are chestnut and gold, contrasting with a turquoise belly and throat. The face is marked with a black eye stripe and yellow cheeks.

Both sexes are similar, though males may have slightly brighter plumage. Juveniles are duller, with a green-tinged back and lack adults' elongated central tail feathers.

Size

Length

27cm to 29cm

Wingspan

44cm to 49cm

Weight

45g to 80g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue Yellow Green

Secondary Colour

Brown Red

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The European Bee-eater can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The European Bee-eater can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The European Bee-eater can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The European Bee-eater is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

European Bee-eaters inhabit open country, preferring areas with scattered trees, riverbanks, and sandy cliffs for nesting. They breed across southern Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia.

During winter, they migrate to tropical Africa. They are rare but increasing summer visitors in the UK, with occasional breeding attempts in southern England.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,400 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a European Bee-eater. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons