European Bee-eater

One of the most colorful birds in Europe. It is a slim bird with a long, curved bill and pointed wings. It is a summer migrant that arrives from Africa to breed in sandy banks. They are highly social and often nest in large, bustling colonies. They spend much of their time perched on wires and open branches.

Bee-eaters are aerial acrobats. They catch bees, wasps, and dragonflies on the wing. Before eating, they hit stinging insects against a branch to remove the stinger and venom. Their call is a distinctive, melodic 'pruup-pruup'. They nest in long tunnels which they excavate in sandy soil.