The Little Bee-eater, Merops pusillus, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae.
Distribution / Range
It is resident in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It should not be confused with the Little Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis. Migration is limited to seasonal movements depending on rainfall patterns.
This is an abundant and tame bird, familiar throughout its range. There have been estimated to be between 60-80 million Little Bee-eaters.
These birds roost communally, lined up on a branch.
Description
This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly colored, slender bird. It has green upper parts, yellow throat, black gorget, and rich brown upper breast fading to buffish ocre on the belly. The wings are green and brown, and the beak is black.
It reaches a length of 15-17 cm, which makes it the smallest African bee-eater.
Sexes are alike.
Breeding / Nesting
This is a bird which breeds in open country with bushes, preferably near water. Unlike most bee-eaters, these are solitary nesters, making a tunnel in sandy banks, or sometimes in the entrance to an Aardvark den.
They lay 4 to 6 spherical white eggs. Both the male and the female take care of the eggs.
Diet / Feeding
Just as the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch.
This species often hunts from low perches, maybe only a metre or less high.
Before eating its meal, a bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface.
Calls / Vocalization
Often silent, their call is a soft “seep”.
