Discovering the Bee - Eater Family
The vast skies of Southern Africa are occasionally punctuated with the colorful flashes of the bee-eater family, a group of birds known for their vibrant plumage and distinctive predatory behavior.
These avian wonders, belonging to the family Meropidae, are a visual treat, and their behavior only adds layers to their intrigue. Their stealthy way of compromising hunted targets is an astonishing way that these birds hunt, moving through the grasslands with maximum speed and pinpoint accuracy. They are living darts of the African bushveld.
Species Occurring in Southern Africa
While the bee-eater family has several species distributed across various continents, Southern Africa boasts a notable collection of these mesmerizing birds:
European Bee-Eater (Merops apiaster)
Southern Carmine Bee-Eater (Merops nubicoides)
White-Fronted Bee-Eater (Merops bullockoides)
Little Bee-Eater (Merops pusillus)
Swallow-Tailed Bee-Eater (Merops hirundineus)
Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater (Merops persicus)
Bohms Bee-Eater (Merops boehmi)
White throated Bee-Eater (Merops albicollis)
Olive Bee-Eater (Merops superciliosus)
Breeding Habits
Bee-eaters typically nest in colonies. They are known to burrow tunnels into sandy banks, often along riverbeds or roadside cuttings. These tunnels, which can be quite long, terminate in a chamber where the eggs are laid. The fascinating thing about their nesting habits is the cooperative breeding observed in many species, where close relatives assist the breeding pair in rearing the young.
This is one of the more interesting things about birds that do not live monogamous or solitary lifes, a few other species of bird also practice this breeding behavior, and it is highly beneficial because of the load of work that gets dispersed on all relatives rather than just the parents. In return, this will automatically serve as a better chance of surviving when you are hatched into a bird family breeding in this manner.
Feeding Habits
As their name suggests, bee-eaters primarily feed on bees. However, their diet isn't limited to just bees. They also feed on wasps and other flying insects. They have a fascinating way of neutralizing the sting of their prey: by catching the insect and repeatedly hitting it on a hard surface, they effectively remove the stinger, making it safe for consumption.
They can consume hundreds of flying insects or bees in one day and stay perched until they spot something worth going after. They are some of the more successful hunters and rightfully so. They are built for it!
A very interesting thing you can often notice whilst looking at bee-eaters is the way they utilize big bodied animals, and other birds do this too. When elephant herds or buffalo herds move through grassland areas they follow, and whatever pops up from the grass becomes prey. It is especially noticeable with Blue-Cheecked and Carmine Bee-Eaters as they show up in numbers, complimenting the animal-filled picture scene with their striking color and aerobatic style of hunting.
We call this Commensalism and this is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is neither benefited nor harmed.
Favored Habitats
Bee-eaters are highly adaptable and are found in a variety of habitats. They prefer open spaces, including grasslands, savannahs, and clearings in forests. Their presence is also often noted near water bodies where food resources are in abundance, especially where sandy banks suitable for nesting are available.
Social Structure
Most bee-eaters are gregarious, often seen in family groups or larger colonies. This social structure not only aids in cooperative breeding but also in hunting. They frequently engage in aerial acrobatics, chasing after flying insects, making their communal hunts a spectacle to watch.
This is one of the more fascinating bird species to photograph, not only for the colour and their striking beauty but also for the aerobatic poses you can capture of them mid-air hunting, if you are fast enough as they do move quick, and then their gregarious family poses when they sit motionless and bundled up on twigs in early mornings or late afternoons.
Efficient Ariel Hunting
Bee-eaters are masters of the sky. Their slender bodies, long tail feathers, and pointed wings make them agile flyers, capable of changing direction swiftly. This ariel prowess enables them to efficiently hunt insects mid-flight. Their keen eyesight allows them to spot prey from a distance, after which they launch from their perch in a rapid, swooping motion to catch the insect.
Their success rate is astonishingly high, making them one of the most efficient aerial hunters. Sometimes also referred to as perch feeders as they are known to go back to the same perch or at least tree after darting from it in pursuit of prey. When this happens it also opens up another window for brilliant photographs as you can predict where they will come in for landing to consume their catch.
Conclusion
The bee-eater family, with its dazzling colors and captivating behaviors, is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Southern Africa's avifauna. Observing them in their natural habitat, whether they're darting through the sky chasing after a bee or nesting in the banks of a riverbed, is an experience that underscores the rich biodiversity of this region.
As we marvel at their beauty, it's essential to recognize and respect their habitats, ensuring these avian wonders continue to grace the African skies for generations to come.
About The Author
Kyle Grobler is a passionate environmentalist and esteemed field guide from Potchefstroom. With an unparalleled love for nature, he boasts a vast collection of over 40,000 photos, illustrating his particular affinity for birds.
Known by many as the embodiment of a true bushman, Kyle has ventured through various South African game reserves and frequently explores the Vaal River's hidden treasures. As a new contributor to the Potch Gazette's environmental page, readers can anticipate immersive tales of Potchefstroom's natural wonders through Kyle's expert lens.
More Bird Stories
For more articles about birds you can click on the links below, there are so many great birds living amoungst us to discover and learn about as they play a major role in nature as we see it today.
Southern Ground Hornbill: Click Here
Secretary Bird: Click Here
Crucial Role of Birds Within Ecosystems: Click Here
African Ground Eagle: Click Here
Vultures: Click Here
African Fish Eagle: Click Here
The Roller Family: Click Here
The Kingfisher Family: Click Here
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