The species of October 2014

Name: European bee-eater
Scientific name: Merops Apiaster
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Meropidae
Genus: Merops

Description:
It is a colorful bird with an impressive plumage that is especially bright in spring. Its plumage distinguishes red, black, green, blue, yellow and white. So the designs created by combining these colors are very beautiful. Its back is golden brown and its wings are green-blue. His neck is yellow and his chest is greenish. Its size ranges from 20-28 cm. It has a long and strong beak, which they use to pick up insects.

Spreading:
The European bee-eater is a very common passer-by, who floods the island by the thousands, especially in the fall. The European bee-eater prefers areas with shrubs and a few trees, clearing in the forest, as well as areas near lakes and rivers.

Ecology – Behavior:
It has a characteristic sound in its singing and in particular it is metallic and gargling and can be heard from far away. Thus, it is easily detected, although it usually flies at high altitudes. It feeds on insects and especially prefers bees. The female beekeeper has been observed to lay 6-7 white eggs, which are hatched by both sexes, for about 20 days. The bee-eater is a social species that builds its nests in groups, which are in deep holes that are usually found on river banks, in hilly hills and in rural roads and fields.

Other details:
Beekeepers spend 10% of their time each day on “personal care”, such as sunbathing, sandblasting or bathing. Sunbathing helps to increase body temperature and sand baths help maintain the good health of their feathers and skin.

Sources:
Βιβλίο «Πουλιά της Κύπρου» (1999), Λουκάς Χριστοφόρου
https://petbirds.gr/threads/3134/

Image source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:European_bee_eater.jpg
©Rashuli