Attractive Offer...
During courtship/bonding in the breeding season, male bee-eaters offer insect 'snacks' to females. Here on the branch are two males, left and middle (with the dragonfly) and the female to the right. Bothe sexes are alike with this species but females can often be separated from males by body size...but not always.
These migratory birds can be found as far north as Finland and as far south as South Africa, extending east into some Asiatic countries too. Most commonly, European Bee-eaters will breed and nest in southern Europe, then migrate south during autumn and winter.
European bee-eaters live for five to six years. The difficulties of migration and avoiding predators along the way affect every bird. Bee-eaters today also find it harder to find food, as there are fewer insects around as a result of pesticides.
European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster)_8539
Attractive Offer...
During courtship/bonding in the breeding season, male bee-eaters offer insect 'snacks' to females. Here on the branch are two males, left and middle (with the dragonfly) and the female to the right. Bothe sexes are alike with this species but females can often be separated from males by body size...but not always.
These migratory birds can be found as far north as Finland and as far south as South Africa, extending east into some Asiatic countries too. Most commonly, European Bee-eaters will breed and nest in southern Europe, then migrate south during autumn and winter.
European bee-eaters live for five to six years. The difficulties of migration and avoiding predators along the way affect every bird. Bee-eaters today also find it harder to find food, as there are fewer insects around as a result of pesticides.
European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster)_8539