|
|
|
Useful Links |
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater | Merops persicus
The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is a Southern African bird that belongs to the meropidae bird family group which includes birds such as Bee eaters. The description for the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Latin name Merops persicus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Merops persicus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 440 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 191. You will find a picture of the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater on page 192. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is known in Afrikaans as Blouwangbyvreter. The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater has a height of 26 cms and weighs around 50 gms. The head is coloured blue while the bill is coloured black. The Merops persicus has a reddish brown coloured throat, grey legs and a green coloured back. The eyes are red. The male Merops persicus has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is blue Eyes are red Bill is black Legs are grey Throat is reddish brown Back is green Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This birds forages for fish and other aquatic dwellers through surface sizing and diving for food in the water. This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
