The green bee-eater (Merops orientalis), also known as 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.[2] 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.
As their common name suggests, most species of bee-eaters favour bees and wasps as their primary prey (around 70% of their diet on average). Even ancient Egyptians called them Melinoorghi or “the bees’ enemy”. With their voracious appetite (around 225 bee-size insects a day), ten pairs in an area could potentially finish off over 1,26,000 insects a month! No wonder these birds have forever been the bane of apiarists (bee-keepers).
Catching a bee-sized insect in mid-air also means that bee-eaters have excellent eyesight. They are known to spot a bee 60 metres away before launching into their aerial assault.
Bee-eaters also feed on a wide variety of insects, including beetles, cicadas, termites, butterflies, moths, dragonflies, grasshoppers and mantises. As in other Coraciiformes (including kingfishers and rollers), they beat the insect on a branch to kill it and break the exoskeleton. With bees or wasps that contain venom, the bird proceeds to rub the insect on the perch (with its eyes closed) to discharge the venom before feeding on it.
The scientific names of the family (Meropidae) and the largest genus (Merops) have nothing to do with their diet, however. They are derived from the soft murmuring calls of the birds.
There are many other similarities among the different species. Most species sport bright plumage. Green is a very common colour among this family of birds, with all but 3 species sporting the colour. Sexes are alike in most species. However, in some species like the Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, males were reported to be more colourful in the UV spectrum. Many species are very social and roost, feed and nest in colonies. The nests are hollows reaching over 5 feet long dug into mud banks/cliffs or on level ground.
How do different species that are so similar co-exist? They prefer different habitats, thereby reducing competition and helping the species thrive in that niche. From grasslands to water bodies to forest clearings to the hills, 5 different species of bee-eaters are encountered in Karnataka.
Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni)
Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Green Bee-eaters are widely distributed all the way from sub-Saharan Africa through West Asia and India to Vietnam. There are at least 9 subspecies recognised based on regional variations. The nominate race orientalis is seen in Karnataka.
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