Carmine Bee Eaters

scientific name

Merops nubicus

size/weight/height

Body Length: 14-15 in.
Weight: 1.5-2 oz.
Wingspan: 11-12.5 in.

adaptations/coloration

Color: monomorphic (both sexes same color) - head and throat greenish blue, upper parts and belly bright carmine red, rump pale cobalt blue, wings and tail deep carmine red - central tail feathers elongated
Bill: black
Legs and Feet: frosted gray
Tail: streamers measure up to 5 in.
Beak: long, curved
Voice: metallic double call-note "took, took"

behavior

Gregarious; roosts in flocks, use sheep and goats as animated perch. Sometimes also the Kori Bustard. Strongly attracted to bush fires preying on fleeing insects. Breaks off stinger of bees, wasps and hornets by rubbing against perch, expresses venom before eating
Nest: burrow excavated in earthen or sandy bank begun by flying head first in to dirt to make a dent. Tunnels to nest 3 to 6 ft. and approximately 2.5 across. Chamber at end - breeds in colonies - nest in colonies of 100-1000 pairs, sometimes up to 10,000 pairs. Density of nest can be up to 60 per sq. meter of cliff face

reproduction/lifespan

Eggs laid Feb and June
Clutch: 2 - 3 eggs at lower altitude, 3 - 5 at higher elevations
Incubation: approximately 20 days, fledge in 20-25 days

diet

Wild: insectivorous, mainly flying insects, also grasshoppers, locusts, rarely small fish. They regurgitate firm pellets of insect sclerites several times a day. More than 60% of diet is stinging insects, more than 25% honeybees (considered a pest at apiaries). Can distinguish between venomless drones and stinging workers to choose latter. Can devenom the honeybee while in flight.
Zoo: mealworms, wax worms, fly larvae and bees

habitat/range

Near rivers in coastal bush, savanna and bush county in eastern and southern Africa

status

common

note

There are two sub-species. We are unsure of our specific sub-species because of unclear records on country of origin.

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Savanna