This week’s bird is the: European Bee-eater
1) Yes, you guessed correctly, this bird cannot be found in North America. It’s “European” but it’s also found across Eurasia and Africa, from Southeast Europe to China to South Africa.
2) The other part of the name - “Bee-eater” - comes from it’s family association (the bee-eaters, of which there are 28 species).
3) Some other “Bee-eaters” eat a lot less bees. Like, mostly just ants. But the name “anteater” was taken…
4) “Bee-eater” is a good description for the European Bee-eater, however. This bird eats every type of bee it can find. Imagine eating bees all day… Sounds fun.
5) Before swallowing their bee prey whole, these birds will rub the tail of the insect to “de-venom” it. And that’s how you eat bees all day, folks.
Have a great week!
Those colours! I'd love to see a bee eater one day