Green Bee-Eater Migration Season is Here — Learn More About This Beautiful Bird
The Green Bee-eater (Merops Orientalis) can be found in Africa and Asia, with large populations residing in the Middle East and India. This bird species eat insects, hence the bee-eater name. You may see this bird either hopping along the ground or flying between trees, often moving in groups of about 10 to 30 birds. The Green Bee-eater breeds during summer months, with the chicks fledging their nests by late August or early September — hence the beginning of its migration season.
What is a Green Bee Eater?
The Green bee-eater, also known as the green ides or as the green shrike weaver, is a species of bird found in Africa. It’s not uncommon to see this bird around the shores of lakes and rivers where it eats insects. The male can be identified by its bright blue plumage while females are browner.
Diet and Habitat
Bee-eaters are a type of bird that lives in Africa and Asia, but they migrate to Australia to breed. They are typically found in open areas near water bodies or wetlands. They are known for their elongated, slender beaks and long tongues which they use to catch insects while flying. The green bee-eater is one of the most common species of bee-eaters found in Australia and has beautiful green plumage on its head, breast, tail, and wings. When it is not breeding season, this species migrates back to parts of Africa and Asia.
The bee-eater can be seen during the warmer months (March through September) catching insects like dragonflies, cicadas, butterflies, bees, wasps, and ants by hovering over them with its feet dangling before using its long tongue to snatch up any bugs it can find. These birds also eat small fish and frogs when hunting at lakesides or ponds as well as worms they find in the soil.
Where do they come from?
The bee-eaters are found in Africa, India, and Southern Asia. They are migratory birds, so their range can vary from year to year. Bee-eaters migrate from Europe to Africa in the winter months and then return to Europe for the breeding season. Their nesting habits differ depending on which region they live in. In North Africa, they nest mainly in crevices of cliffs or holes in trees while South Africans prefer nesting on the ground near water sources such as rivers or dams.
Green Bee Eaters in India
In India, Green Bee Eater populations can be found in the Western Ghats and on the Konkan Coast. They feed mainly on flying insects such as beetles, butterflies, moths, and flies. The Indian name for these birds is Kabaragoya. It is said that they have a preference for juicy fruits including grapes, figs, pomegranates, tamarinds, and watermelons. However, this behavior has not been observed by scientists so far. Their breeding season varies according to geography with breeding occurring from March to July in the Northern Hemisphere; November to January in southern Africa; and December to February in Australia.
Where can I see them?
The Green Bee-eater is a small passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. These birds are found in Southern Asia, from India and Sri Lanka east to China and Indonesia. They migrate from these countries to Africa during the cold winter months, before returning to Asia for the summer.
The Green Bee-eaters start their migration journey by flying northwards from their breeding grounds across India and Myanmar into Thailand and Laos. From here they fly south along the Thai/Malaysian coastline, making landfall on Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. From Sulawesi, they continue their journey southwards across the Indian Ocean to Madagascar and Western Africa. Here they spend the winter months before beginning their return trip back to Southeast Asia via East Africa in April or May time.
5 facts about green bee-eater
1. The Green Bee-eater (Merops Orientalis) is a bird with a worldwide distribution, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. They are found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
2. The Green Bee-eaters are very social birds and will often form large flocks during migration season.
3. In the breeding season they can be seen feeding off of insects that they catch while airborne, including dragonflies and other flying insects.
4. Although their scientific name means Eastern Bee-eater, they have been spotted as far west as Texas!
5. There are currently 10 species of bee-eaters recognized by scientists today, although some authorities list 11 or 12 species within this family of birds.
Conclusion
This year’s migration season for the green bee eater has just begun and it will continue until December. Take this opportunity to learn more about these beautiful birds so you can spot them on your next trip to the park or nature reserve.
