Bird · GBIF taxon 2475419
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Merops persicusAlso known as Persian Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked Bee Eater
Slender and vibrant, blue-cheeked bee-eaters possess intense emerald plumage, a rich cinnamon throat, and bright blue facial stripes framing a dark eye mask. They hunt high-flying insects like dragonflies and wasps from prominent vantage perches, snatching prey mid-air before repeatedly striking it against a branch to remove any sting. Breeding colonies construct long nest burrows in sandy riverbanks, ditch slopes, or flat semi-desert ground across their range.
MigratoryInsectivorousSocial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Bees
- Wasps
- Dragonflies
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Monitor lizards
ThreatsPesticide accumulation reducing insect prey and persecution by bee-keepers
HabitatsSemi-deserts, steppes, river valleys, canal banks, and irrigated fields
Life span5 to 8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMeropidae
- SpeciesMerops persicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Perch Watching: Look for individuals scanning for insects on power lines, exposed fences, or dead tree branches near water.
- Listen for Calls: Recognize their distinctive rolling, high-pitched chirping calls given frequently in flight.
- Nesting Etiquette: Avoid approaching breeding colonies in sandy banks to prevent collapsing their delicate nest burrows.
Prey (c) Ludivine Lamare, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ludivine Lamare · cc-by
Prey Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Elgollimoh / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Close Relative
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