European Bee Eater Stock Image

Merios apiaster. A pair of European bee-eaters, perched on a dead branch, waiting to pounce on flying insects such as wasps, moths and, of course, bees. Photographed in Alentejo, Portugal, Summer 2014. The female is on the right, only distinguishable because of the soil on her bill from where she has been excavating a nest hole in a sandy bank. characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 different species of bee-eaters