The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a common migrant in Lebanon. Its presence has been recorded in several Lebanese areas in summer, raising the possibility that it may also breed in the country.
This bird is distinguished by its bright plumage: its back and wings wear shades of brown, yellow, black and green; its throat is yellow; and its underparts are turquoise blue.
The bee-eater is known for its distinctive nesting: it excavates tunnels in sandy or soft soil banks, ending in a nesting chamber.
Its diet consists mainly of flying insects, especially bees, wasps, dragonflies and butterflies. It catches them in flight, often with dazzling aerobatics.
Feeding on honey bees can bring bee-eaters into conflict with beekeepers, but the share of honey bees in their diet and their impact on apiaries vary with location, season and prey availability. A field study in southeastern Spain found differences in honey-bee consumption between sites and stages of the breeding season. These findings do not justify a general claim that predation strengthens bee colonies.
The European Bee-eater is a valuable part of biodiversity and draws bird lovers, nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike.
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