White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) Fact Sheet: Summary

Describer (Date): Smith, 1834

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Coraciiformes

Family: Meropidae

Genus: Merops

Species: Merops bullockoides

Body Weight: 28-38 g (0.1-1.3 oz)

Body Length: 21.5-23.5 cm (8.5-9.3 in)

Plumage: Dull white forehead,
black mask, white chin and cheeks,
scarlet throat, buff breast and belly,
green wings and tail, scarlet throat;
no streamers.

Beak: Black; sharp-pointed, downwards
curved.

Range: Tropical southern Africa

Habitat: Wooded savannas, sandy
cliffs; African grassland and open
scrub of Kenya.

IUCN Status: Least Concern (2016 assessment)

CITES Appendix: not listed

Population in Wild: Increasing

Migration: Do not migrate

Activity Cycle: Diurnal; after dawn emerge
from nest burrows; perch, preen, fly
as clan groups to feed; return late
afternoon to socialize, preen; enter
burrows for night

Social Groups: Form colonies; monogamous,
cooperative breeding with helpers.

Diet: Flying insects, especially bees
and predators on bee.

Predators: Snake, lizard, mongoose,
and swift nest robbers;honeyguide nest
parasitizing birds kill embryos and their
young kill nest mates.

Sexual Maturity. Adult plumage at 6 months.

Courtship: Lengthy - often 6-8 weeks;
occurs at roosting colongy and on feeding territory.

Clutch Size: 2-5 eggs; nests w/helpers have
most eggs.

Nest: Burrow excavated in cliff face;
1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) long ending with
20 cm (7.9 in) long brood chamber

Hatchlings: Born blind and naked (altricial)

Fledging: At around 29 days for well-fed
chicks; can be delayed if not enough food.

Typical Life Expectancy:
Wild populations: about 5–6 years

Featured Facts

• Nest colonially; perhaps the most complex "bird society" known
• Monogamous; pair for life
• Nest in cliff faces
• Cooperative breeders. Individual may switch between roles as "breeding parent" and "non-breeding helper" many times throughout their lifetime.
• Strong family bonds. Remember those in their "social network."
• Feed 300 times per day!
• San Diego Zoo has raised more than 100 bee-eater chicks