Green bee-eater

[Merops orientalis]

The green bee-eater (Merops orientalis) (sometimes little green bee-eater) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family. It is resident but prone to seasonal movements and is found widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and the Gambia to Ethiopia, the Nile valley, western Arabia and Asia through India to Vietnam. They are mainly insect eaters and they are found in grassland, thin scrub and forest often quite far from water. Several regional plumage variations are known and several subspecies have been named.

 

 

in flight

in flight

Small Bee-eater
  • Prominent tail
  • Prominent bill
  • Chiefly Green

Size: Sparrow 15± cm.

Predominant Colours: green, rusty

Associated Colours: black, rusty brown

Bill Length: 3 cm.

Bill Shape & Colour: curved, slender, brownish black

Tail Length: 14 cm.