Green Bee-Eater (Merops orientalis)

Green Bee Eaters

Merops orientalis commonly known as Green Bee-eater is a perching bird. The bird has an emerald green color body with a light reddish-brown crown. It has crimson color eyes and a black strip or mask that runs through its eyes below that line, the throat is bright sky colored. A black line running across the neck is called 'Gorget' is lacking in juveniles. An average bee-eater weighs about 15-25gms and total length (Tip to tail) is about 26-28cms. This bird has a special extension of the tail that can be seen in the photograph, this extension helps bee-eater to change direction very quick in order to catch the insect. As the name suggests it feeds mainly on bees but also eats grasshoppers and other small insects. They form nests as cavity in a colony of 10-20 bee-eaters they breed and lay eggs from March to June. Parental cares is given to the hatchlings.

Location: Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Burari, New Delhi, Delhi - 110084