White-fronted Bee-eater

The White-Fronted Bee-eater, Merops bullockoides, is a species of bee-eater widely distrubted in sub-equatorial Africa. Their habitat commonly consists of open country, often near gullies.

Description

This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly colored, slender bird, but with a distinctive black mask, white forehead, square tail and a bright red throat. The upperparts are green, with cinnamon underparts.

Calls / Vocalization

The call is a deep squeak.

Nesting / Breeding

They nest in small colonies, digging holes in cliffs or banks of earth, and have one of the most complex family-based social systems found in birds. Colonies comprise family groups, known as “clans” which exhibit co-operative breeding. Non-breeding individuals become helpers to relatives and assist to raise their brood.

White-fronted Bee-eaters Nesting

Diet / Feeding

Their diet is made up primarily of bees, but they also take other flying insects depending on the season and availability of prey.

White-fronted Bee-eaters
White-fronted Bee-eaters
White-fronted Bee-eaters
Bee-eatersPhoto Gallery
White-fronted Bee-eater
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