Hi Steemians... The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family (Meropidae.) Use of the name "Bee-eater" because it has a habit of eating bees, wasps, and insects.
Canon EOS-1D X | Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | 400.0mm · f/18.0s · 1/1250s · ISO 2500
The size of this bird can reach a length of 27-29 cm (10.6 to 11.4 inches), This bird has a similarity between males and females. just different, Female tends to have greener rather than gold feathers on shoulders.
This breeding of birds in open country in warm climates, as well as tropical, also found in Aceh, as well as other islands, in the archipelago.
Map of the areas in which bee-eaters Meropidae breed. based on Family Meropidae: Bee-eaters-. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions (2016). Retrieved on 13 October 2016. (1992) Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, and Rollers, London: Christopher Helm, p. 82–96 ISBN: 978-0-7136-8028-7.
Credit
Behaviour.
The bee-eaters are diurnal (active by day), although a few species may migrate during the night if the terrain en route is unsuitable for stopping or if they are crossing the sea.
These bee-eaters are gregarious—nesting colonially in sandy banks, preferably near river shores, usually at the beginning of May. They make a relatively long tunnel, in which they lay five to eight spherical white eggs around the beginning of June. Both male and female care for the eggs, which they brood for about three weeks.
Wikipedia
PROTECTION / THREATS / STATUS.
The population of this bird has begun to rare, due to various factors, illegal fishing, pesticide poisoning, even already very rarely found. except having to go into the interior of the forest.
European Bee-eater is locally common and widespread in most parts of the range. However, this species is threatened by hunting as pest or for consumption, by the use of pesticides involving heavy declines in insects’ populations, also by canalization of rivers with loss of sandy banks nesting-sites, and human developments and disturbances.
But this species is considered as Least Concern at this moment. Read more : oiseaux-bird
Canon EOS-1D X | Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM | 500.0mm · f/14.0s · 1/640s · ISO 800
Canon EOS-1D X | Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM | 500.0mm · f/16.0s · 1/640s · ISO 2500
I took this picture two years ago, on the way I entered Tiro forest. Please follow me, to see the various species of birds in the forests of Aceh.
Footnote and References.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bee-eater
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee-eater
- http://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-european-bee-eater.html
