A Little Bee-eater

Bee-eaters (Merops) are among the most common avians in Africa. Their colors never fail to dazzle. 20 different species are found across the continent, from the Nile Valley to the Cape. They range in color from scarlet to emerald.

This is a Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus), distinctive to the grasslands of East Africa. A distinguishing feature that marks it as local is the light blue eyebrow line. Specialists call this line superciliary, from the latin "above" the "eyelid."

You don't have to be a birder to enjoy a Little bee-eater. Join us on safari in 2026.

Little Bee-eater eating a Little Bee

How about a Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) for your Tuesday morning? This one is doing just what you would expect: eating a bee!

The bee was likely caught mid-flight (I didn't witness it) by this darting little bird. The bee is then slammed against a hard surface to remove the stinger before being consumed (I wish I could have witnessed that!).

Little Bee-eaters are gorgeously attired with a green back, a yellow and orange throat, and a black (and blue) eye line.

They are common to sub-Saharan Africa. I spotted this one in northern Tanzania.