The African Green Bee-eater (Merops viridissimus) is a striking bird found across arid regions of Africa. Known for its vibrant green plumage and agile hunting skills, this species is a delight to birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Here are 10 fascinating facts about this remarkable bird:
1. Stunning Green Plumage
True to its name, the African green bee-eater is mostly bright emerald-green. It has a long, slightly curved black bill and a striking black “mask” stripe through the eye. The throat is a light yellow-green (unlike the blue throat of its Asian cousin). In flight its golden-brown crown and blue belly flash in the sun, making it look like a flying jewel.
2. Nile Valley Expander
The African green bee-eater has been on the move! Changes in farming and irrigation have let it spread northward. It once stuck to West and East Africa, but in recent decades it has “colonized” the Nile Valley, reaching Egypt’s Nile Delta. In fact, it reached Egypt before 2001 and now breeds along the Nile. This human-assisted range boom means the species is doing well.
3. Expert Insect Hunter
As the name implies, this bee-eater loves insects – especially bees and wasps. It sits patiently on a perch, then dashes out to snatch bees and other flying insects from the air. Before eating, it deftly removes each insect’s sting by hitting it on a branch and rubbing it clean. This removes the venom and makes the meal safe. In a typical diet, flying insects like honeybees make up most of what they eat, though they will also take flies, butterflies, and more.
4. Unique Nesting Habits
African green bee-eaters are social diggers. They breed in loose colonies, often on sandy riverbanks or flat ground, where each pair tunnels into the soil to make a nest. A nesting site might have dozens of neat holes side by side. Each tunnel is 1–2 meters long, ending in a chamber where the eggs are laid. Both parents share the work of digging these burrows (sometimes taking weeks), patiently excavating dirt with their bills.
5. Monogamous Mating
African Green Bee-eaters form lifelong pairs. During the breeding season, both parents participate in incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. They may even receive help from other birds in their group when food is scarce.
6. Social Behavior
These bee-eaters are very gregarious. Outside of breeding, they often perch together or even roost as a group. It’s common to see dozens (sometimes hundreds) of them sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder in high trees or on cliffs before dawn. They also hunt in small flocks and engage in group activities like sun-bathing or dust-bathing together.
7. Thrives in Human-Modified Habitats
The African Green Bee-eater has adapted well to changes in agriculture and irrigation, allowing it to increase in abundance. It has benefited from human habitat modifications, making it a resilient species.
8. Meet “Cleopatra”
The bird’s scientific name includes cleopatra for a reason. The Egyptian subspecies is literally called Merops viridissimus cleopatra and lives along the Nile Valley (from Lake Nasser to the Mediterranean Delta). Locals often nickname it “Cleopatra’s bee-eater.” It’s a fitting title for such a regal-looking bird! Whether in Sudan or by the Nile, this green bee-eater carries a bit of royal Egypt in its name.
9. Long Lifespan
Despite facing natural threats, the African Green Bee-eater can live between 12 to 18 years in the wild, making it one of the longer-lived small birds.
10. Conservation Status
Good news: this species is not endangered. Thanks to its large range and booming numbers, the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. In fact, as agriculture and irrigation have expanded, African green bee-eaters have adapted well. Their population is actually increasing in many areas. Plentiful food (insect pests) in farmland and lots of open nesting spots mean they’re thriving in many human-altered habitats.
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