European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
The European Bee-eater is a rare but striking visitor to Britain, typically seen during the spring and summer months when it overshoots its normal range, with occasional breeding attempts in southern England. It is most likely to be spotted in open, sandy areas with low vegetation, particularly near coastal regions.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify European Bee-eater in the field.
At a glance, the European Bee-eater can be identified by its bright plumage, long, curved beak, and distinctive black stripe through its eye, as well as its slender, elongated body shape. Its vibrant colours, including blues, greens, and yellows, also make it a standout species.
The European Bee-eater is slightly larger than a Blue Tit, but smaller than a Starling, measuring around 27-30 cm in length.
The male European Bee-eater boasts a stunning plumage of bright blues, greens, and yellows, with a black throat patch and a long, black stripe extending from its beak, through its eye, to the back of its head, with little seasonal variation.
The female European Bee-eater has similar plumage to the male, although it may be slightly less vibrant, with a more subdued colour palette, but overall, the differences are minimal.
The European Bee-eater's call is a melodious, liquid "tirr-tirr-tirr" or "pree-pree-pree", often repeated in a series of short, musical phrases, while its song is a more complex, whistled melody.
European Bee-eaters are social birds that feed on insects, particularly bees, wasps, and hornets, which they catch in mid-air with their long, curved beaks, often flying with rapid, agile wingbeats and making sharp, swift turns in pursuit of prey.
The European Bee-eater is unlikely to be confused with other British species, due to its unique combination of bright colours and distinctive markings, but it may be mistaken for other bee-eater species, such as the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, which can be distinguished by its brighter, more intense colours and different facial markings.
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