Bird
Black Bee-eater
Merops gularisAlso known as African Black Bee-eater
Black bee-eaters perch high on exposed boughs along West and Central African forest edges, scanning the canopy air for passing prey. Their striking jet-black plumage is offset by a glowing scarlet throat patch and iridescent cobalt streaks across the belly and rump. Unlike many open-country relatives, this species usually hunts alone or in pairs rather than forming massive colonial flocks.
Canopy HunterInsectivoreTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyHoneybees, Wasps, Dragonflies
Predators
- Accipiter hawks
- Tree snakes
- Lizards
ThreatsDeforestation and rainforest degradation
HabitatsTropical rainforest edges, secondary woodland, river margins
Life span5–8 years
Classification
- FamilyMeropidae
- SpeciesMerops gularis
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
- Scanning clearings: Look high in dead canopy trees around forest edges and river banks.
- Listening for calls: Listen for quiet, sharp single-note whistles emitted from high perches.
- Using optics: Bring binoculars or a spotting scope, as they often sit high in tall trees.
Migratory Kin Elgollimoh / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative https://www.flickr.com/photos/francesco_veronesi/ / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Regional Relative (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165 · cc-by
Family Member (c) Gary Leavens, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Gary Leavens · cc-by-sa
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