Olive Bee-eater

Fascinating facts about the Olive Bee-eater

• Dr. Derek Pomeroy, a biologist studying East African birds, found that Olive Bee-eaters can eat up to 200 bees per day, with some individuals consuming as much as 1/4 of their body weight in insects daily. They have a special feather structure that helps protect them from bee stings.
• Olive Bee-eaters migrate 4,000 km each year from their breeding grounds in sub-Saharan Africa to their wintering grounds in southern Africa, a journey that takes around 2-3 months to complete. During this time, they fly at speeds of up to 40 km/h and can reach altitudes of over 1,000 meters.
• A study published in 2015 found that Olive Bee-eaters are able to recognize individual humans and will often respond aggressively to people they have had negative interactions with in the past. In fact, they are so wary of humans that they will often abandon their nests if they feel threatened.
• Olive Bee-eaters are known for their brightly colored plumage, with feathers that contain microscopic melanin crystals that reflect light and create their vibrant green and blue colors. The production of these crystals is so complex that scientists are still not entirely sure how the birds are able to create them, with some estimates suggesting it takes around 10-15 different pigments to produce the full range of colors.
• In the wild, Olive Bee-eaters can live for up to 10 years, with some individuals forming long-term monogamous relationships that can last for many breeding seasons. They are also devoted parents, with both males and females taking turns to incubate eggs and care for their young, which fledge after around 30-35 days and become independent after a further 2-3 weeks.

At a glance

About the Olive Bee-eater

The Olive Bee-eater (Merops superciliosus) is a strikingly beautiful bird, easily recognized by its vibrant green plumage accented with a rich, chestnut-brown throat and a delicate white supercilium that arches gracefully over its eye. This medium-sized bird, measuring about 25 to 30 centimeters in length, showcases a long, pointed tail that aids in its agile flight. Olive Bee-eaters inhabit a variety of open and semi-open environments, including savannas, grasslands, and woodland edges, often near water sources where they can hunt. Their nests are ingeniously constructed in sandy banks or cliffs, where they dig out tunnels to create safe breeding chambers, a behavior that reflects their adaptation to both terrestrial and arboreal habitats. As social creatures, they are often seen in small groups, engaging in aerial displays that showcase their acrobatic prowess and vibrant colors against the azure sky. Feeding primarily on insects, particularly bees and wasps, Olive Bee-eaters have developed remarkable hunting techniques, often catching their prey mid-flight with precision and grace. They exhibit a fascinating behavior where they will beat their captured prey against a hard surface to subdue it, showcasing their intelligence and adaptability. One surprising trait of these birds is their ability to tolerate mild stings from their prey, allowing them to feast on bees without significant harm. This unique adaptation not only highlights their resilience but also underscores their role in controlling insect populations within their ecosystems, making them vital players in the intricate web of life that sustains their habitats.

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