The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a very colorful bird species belonging to the family Meropidae. It has a broad breeding range across southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and migrates to central and southern Africa during the winter months. In Türkiye, it is observed as a summer visitor over most of the country. During the breeding season, European Bee-eaters live in colonies and typically nest in burrows they excavate on steep slopes. Their main food source consists of flying insects, especially bees and wasps. Their ability to exploit a variety of habitats along migration routes—such as agricultural lands, riverbanks, and semi-open steppes—has been a key factor in the species’ distributional success.

^{European Bee-eaters (Luiz Lapa, flickr)}

Morphological Characteristics

The European Bee-eater measures approximately 25–29 cm in length, and adult individuals may have tail streamers up to 3 cm long. Its most distinguishing feature is its vivid, multicolored plumage. The head is chestnut-brown, the nape and back glint with golden tones, and the underparts and tail display blue-green hues. The throat is bright yellow, framed by a black band. The iris is red, and the bill is black and curved downward.

Sexual dimorphism is limited, though male birds generally bear longer, more pronounced tail streamers. Juveniles exhibit duller plumage compared to adults, and their throat bands are indistinct. In flight, they follow a straight, fast trajectory, emitting high-pitched, sharp calls that are characteristic of the species. Because no similar species occurs within Europe, they are relatively easy to identify in the field; however, they can be confused with the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) in the eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia. Facial markings, cheek color, and tail length serve as distinguishing features in such cases.

^{Flying European Bee-eater (Luiz Lapa, flickr)}

Distribution and Habitat

The European Bee-eater’s range extends from southern Europe through western Asia to parts of North and southern Africa. During the breeding season, it is common in Spain, France, Italy, Türkiye, the Balkans, Ukraine, Iran, and western Central Asia. In winter, it spends most of its time in central and southern Africa. This broad geographic distribution is directly linked to its migratory behavior: it moves northward in spring to breed, remains in those regions through summer, and returns southward in autumn to its wintering grounds.

This species shows flexibility in habitat selection, occupying various open and semi-open ecosystems. In Europe, it is most often found in river valleys, agricultural areas, shrub-fringed steppes, open hills, and the edges of cultivated landscapes. For nesting, it favors steep earthen or sandy slopes that are easily excavated and subject to erosion, typically forming colonies in such sites. In Africa, it winters in savannas, lakeshores, and open farmland. This adaptability has even enabled a northward range expansion in response to climate change.

^{Distribution Map (IUCN Red List)}

In Türkiye, the species is present as a summer migrant, with the breeding season extending from late spring through mid-summer in many regions of the country. It is most abundantly observed in Thrace, the Aegean region, Central Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia. Türkiye, situated along its migration route, serves as both an important transit and breeding area. Preferred habitats include riverbanks, agricultural field margins, steppe-character open lands, and sandy soil slopes.

In border areas such as Edirne, colonies nesting in earthen burrows concentrate in quiet zones with low human activity. The European Bee-eater’s presence in Türkiye is supported by its affinity for natural habitats as well as semi-artificial environments like the earthen slopes found in certain agricultural lands. Observations indicate high natal philopatry, as the birds return each year to the same nesting sites.^【1】 

Behavior and Ecology

The European Bee-eater is notable for its social lifestyle and cooperative breeding behaviors. During the breeding season, it typically lives in colonies and shares tasks such as nest excavation and chick-feeding between mates. Some individuals do not breed directly but act as “helpers,” caring for the offspring of related birds within the colony. Colony life depends heavily on vocal communication: high-pitched, sharp calls coordinate group activities and serve as alarm signals.

Daily activities include perching, hunting, and flying around the nest. While hunting, an individual will watch for prey either by soaring from a height or by waiting in the open, then catch flying insects on the wing. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. As a migratory species, the European Bee-eater undertakes two long-distance migrations each year—northward in spring, southward in autumn to reach Africa. Its ability to adapt rapidly to suitable environmental conditions has allowed it to expand into new breeding areas in response to climate change.

Vocalizations

The European Bee-eater is recognized by its distinctive and easily identifiable vocal repertoire. The most frequently heard call—emitted during migration or in flight—is a repeated, high-pitched, soft and melodious “prrü” or “kriik.” This call facilitates communication among birds flying in groups and is essential for flock coordination. Alarm calls are faster and staccato, warning others of danger.

Within breeding colonies, vocal activity intensifies. Fledglings emit short, weak calls during feeding, and mates exchange soft songs during courtship. The bird’s varied vocalizations regulate social interactions and mediate responses to environmental threats, making its calls a key cue for identification.

^{European Bee-eater Fight Call (Jordi Calvet, xeno-canto)}

Feeding

The European Bee-eater is entirely insectivorous, preying principally on flying insects. Its diet consists mainly of Hymenoptera—bees (Apidae), wasps, hornets—and also dragonflies, butterflies, and large flies. An individual typically perches on a high branch or wire to survey for prey, then sallies forth to capture its quarry mid-air. After capture, it usually returns to its perch and removes the insect’s sting or venom by repeatedly striking it against a hard surface—a critical step before consuming stinging prey such as bees.

Parents feed their young exclusively on flying insects, bringing back one insect per foraging trip and handing it directly to the chick. Hunting efficiency and prey diversity depend directly on local insect abundance. Pesticide use in agricultural areas—especially those that reduce bee populations—poses a significant threat to the species.

^{Hunting European Bee-eaters (Krzysiek, pixabay)}

Breeding

The European Bee-eater exhibits a monogamous breeding system and a highly social structure. The breeding season generally runs from May through July. During this period, pairs excavate tunnels 1–2 meters long in steep earthen or sandy banks, usually in close proximity to form colonies. The female lays 4–10 eggs at the tunnel’s end. Incubation lasts about 20 days, during which the female remains mostly in the nest while the male brings her food.

After hatching, both parents share feeding duties. Fledging occurs roughly 30 days after hatching, though the young continue to be fed by their parents for some time afterward. European Bee-eaters exhibit strong site fidelity, returning year after year to the same nesting areas.

Conservation Status

The European Bee-eater is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This status reflects its very large global range and an estimated breeding population of 3.7–5.6 million pairs in Europe alone (approximately 7.4–11.2 million individuals), which represents about 40% of the world population, itself estimated at 18–28 million birds. Overall population trends are stable, though some local declines have been recorded.

Key threats include reductions in flying-insect prey—especially bees—due to pesticide use; loss of suitable nesting sites through riverbank engineering; and habitat conversion for agriculture. In some countries, notably Malta and Cyprus, shooting for sport remains a concern. However, the species’ flexibility in habitat use and feeding has enabled a northward expansion of its breeding range in response to climate change, demonstrating an adaptive capacity that enhances its short-term survival prospects.

The European Bee-eater is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and Annex II of the Bern Convention, and it benefits from various national protection measures in range states.