Bird · GBIF taxon 2475448
White-throated Bee-eater
Merops albicollisWhite-throated bee-eaters are striking migratory birds recognizable by their bright white throat bordered by a dark collar, pale green body, and remarkably elongated central tail feathers. Breeding in vast, noisy colonies along the arid southern fringe of the Sahara, they excavate deep nesting burrows in sandy soil or dry banks. Each autumn, flocks journey south to spend the non-breeding season hawking flying insects above the lush canopies of equatorial rainforests.
MigratoryInsectivoreColonial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Honeybees
- Wasps
- Flying ants
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Monkeys
ThreatsHabitat degradation, pesticide use reducing prey, and nest disturbance
HabitatsSemi-desert scrub, arid savanna, and tropical rainforests
Life span5–8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMeropidae
- SpeciesMerops albicollis
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
- Patience at Perches: Watch exposed branches or wires where birds sally out to catch flying insects.
- Colony Distance: Maintain a respectful distance from active nesting burrows in sandy banks.
- Listen for Calls: Listen for soft trilling contact calls to locate airborne foraging flocks.
Co-occurring Kin 
Genus Relative Elgollimoh / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Genus Relative Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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