20-12-2023 KARTONG, GAMBIA - BLUE CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus)

The blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. The genus name Merops is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and persicus is Latin for "Persian".

It breeds in Northern Africa, and the Middle East from eastern Turkey to Kazakhstan and India. It is generally strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, although some populations breed and live year-round in the Sahel. This species occurs as a rare vagrant north of its breeding range, with most vagrants occurring in Italy and Greece.

This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is predominantly green; its face has blue sides with a black eye stripe, and a yellow and brown throat; the beak is black. It can reach a length of 31 cm (12 in), with the two elongated central tail feathers adding another 7 cm (2.8 in). Sexes are mostly alike but the tail-streamers of the female are shorter.

This is a bird which breeds in sub-tropical semi-desert with a few trees, such as acacia. It winters in open woodland or grassland. As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. However, this species probably takes more dragonflies than any other food item. Its preferred hunting perch is telephone wires if available.

Blue-cheeked bee-eaters may nest solitarily or in loose colonies of up to ten birds. They may also nest in colonies with European bee-eaters. The nests are located in sandy banks, embankments, low cliffs or on the shore of the Caspian Sea. They make a relatively long tunnel of 1 to 3 m (3–10 ft) in length in which the four to eight (usually six or seven), spherical white eggs are laid. Both the male and the female take care of the eggs, although the female alone incubates them at night. Incubation takes 23–26 days.

The call sounds 'flatter' and less 'fluty' than the European bee-eater.

 

20-12-2023 KARTONG, GAMBIA - BLUE CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus)

The blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. The genus name Merops is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and persicus is Latin for "Persian".

It breeds in Northern Africa, and the Middle East from eastern Turkey to Kazakhstan and India. It is generally strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, although some populations breed and live year-round in the Sahel. This species occurs as a rare vagrant north of its breeding range, with most vagrants occurring in Italy and Greece.

This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is predominantly green; its face has blue sides with a black eye stripe, and a yellow and brown throat; the beak is black. It can reach a length of 31 cm (12 in), with the two elongated central tail feathers adding another 7 cm (2.8 in). Sexes are mostly alike but the tail-streamers of the female are shorter.

This is a bird which breeds in sub-tropical semi-desert with a few trees, such as acacia. It winters in open woodland or grassland. As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. However, this species probably takes more dragonflies than any other food item. Its preferred hunting perch is telephone wires if available.

Blue-cheeked bee-eaters may nest solitarily or in loose colonies of up to ten birds. They may also nest in colonies with European bee-eaters. The nests are located in sandy banks, embankments, low cliffs or on the shore of the Caspian Sea. They make a relatively long tunnel of 1 to 3 m (3–10 ft) in length in which the four to eight (usually six or seven), spherical white eggs are laid. Both the male and the female take care of the eggs, although the female alone incubates them at night. Incubation takes 23–26 days.

The call sounds 'flatter' and less 'fluty' than the European bee-eater.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BLUE CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus)

The blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus, is a near passerine bird belonging to the bee-eater family, Meropidae. This slender and richly coloured species is predominantly green, with distinctive blue cheeks framed by a black eye stripe. A yellow and brown throat complements its striking face, and a black beak punctuates its elegant profile. Adults can reach a length of 31 cm (12 inches), with elongated central tail feathers adding an extra 7 cm (2.8 inches). Both sexes are similar in appearance, though females have slightly shorter tail streamers.

When identifying the blue-cheeked bee-eater, look for its vibrant green plumage and the characteristic blue on the sides of its face. The black eye stripe and contrasting yellow and brown throat are also key features. In flight, observe for the long central tail feathers that trail behind.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BLUE CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus)

The blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus, is a near passerine bird belonging to the bee-eater family, Meropidae. This slender and richly coloured species is predominantly green, with distinctive blue cheeks framed by a black eye stripe. A yellow and brown throat complements its striking face, and a black beak punctuates its elegant profile. Adults can reach a length of 31 cm (12 inches), with elongated central tail feathers adding an extra 7 cm (2.8 inches). Both sexes are similar in appearance, though females have slightly shorter tail streamers.

When identifying the blue-cheeked bee-eater, look for its vibrant green plumage and the characteristic blue on the sides of its face. The black eye stripe and contrasting yellow and brown throat are also key features. In flight, observe for the long central tail feathers that trail behind.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BLUE CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BLUE CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus)

The blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus, is a near passerine bird belonging to the bee-eater family, Meropidae. This slender and richly coloured species is predominantly green, with distinctive blue cheeks framed by a black eye stripe. A yellow and brown throat complements its striking face, and a black beak punctuates its elegant profile. Adults can reach a length of 31 cm (12 inches), with elongated central tail feathers adding an extra 7 cm (2.8 inches). Both sexes are similar in appearance, though females have slightly shorter tail streamers.

When identifying the blue-cheeked bee-eater, look for its vibrant green plumage and the characteristic blue on the sides of its face. The black eye stripe and contrasting yellow and brown throat are also key features. In flight, observe for the long central tail feathers that trail behind.

This bird favors sub-tropical semi-desert regions dotted with sparse trees, such as acacias, for breeding. During the winter, it can be found in open woodlands or grasslands.

The blue-cheeked bee-eater breeds across Northern Africa and the Middle East, from eastern Turkey to Kazakhstan and India. It is a highly migratory species, wintering in tropical Africa, with some populations residing year-round in the Sahel. Occasionally, this bird appears as a rare vagrant north of its usual range, particularly in Italy and Greece.

This species may choose to nest solitarily or in small, loose colonies of up to ten individuals. It is also known to share colonies with European bee-eaters. The blue-cheeked bee-eater excavates long tunnels in sandy banks or embankments to lay its eggs, which range from four to eight in number, typically six or seven. Both parents tend to the eggs, with the female incubating them at night. The incubation period lasts between 23 to 26 days.

The blue-cheeked bee-eater's call is distinctive, sounding 'flatter' and less 'fluty' than that of the European bee-eater.

Nesting sites are often located in sandy banks, embankments, or low cliffs, and occasionally on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The nests consist of tunnels ranging from 1 to 3 meters in length.

The blue-cheeked bee-eater is closely related to the blue-tailed bee-eater, M. philippinus of East Asia, and the olive bee-eater of Africa, with which it has been considered conspecific in the past.

While bee-eaters are known to feed on flying insects, particularly bees, wasps, and hornets, the blue-cheeked bee-eater shows a preference for dragonflies. It typically hunts from an open perch, often using telephone wires when available.

The blue-cheeked bee-eater is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.