Issue Description


Authors : Sarala Wasnik, P. M. Telkhade, R. V. Tijare, P. N. Charde

Page Nos : 808-815

Description :
The green bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa and Asia but others occur in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 different species of bee-eaters. As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. While they pursue any type of flying insect, honey bees predominate in their diet. Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps) comprise from 20% to 96% of all insects eaten, with honey bees comprising approximately one-third of the Hymenoptera. We have considering little green bee eater for study. This species can be easily observed around the Nagpur region. We choose the species for study of habitat, its food, behavior & breeding.

Date of Online: 30 May 2014