European Bee-eaters' prey (2 Viewers)

[Miroslav]

This week I spent 3 days monitoring a colony of Bee-eaters near Sava river in Croatia (south Europe). I monitored bee-eaters hunting skill too. The bee was caught in around 20% cases only. In most cases dragonfly was a prey. As far as I know some references mentioned 70% for bees. Any experience with this? Some photos are available here. Thanks for viewing.

 

[Zheljko]

Yes, dragonflies (and other large insects) are common prey of bee-eaters. I think most people see bee-eaters with a bee because that is what they commonly catch in farmland.

 

[S_Man]

After some hours/days of observation, my take is that they simply prefer the biggest meal they can get. Here I see mostly bumblebees.

I have also seen them with hornets! Not sure but perhaps they can remove the dart?

3 dragonflies this morning (I wish I could get pictures like yours!)

Some butterflies, but I don't see them go after the common colored day butterflies.

Big beetles and long shaped fly-like insects seem very appreciated, too. (Here some are still feeding the youngs, not sure it changes their diet)

 

[Gretchen]

Wow, both of you have lovely shots, and helpful ones for showing the variety of prey!

 

[keith]

As part of the team which looked after the breeding Bee-eaters which bred in the UK in 2002, our observations were pretty comprehensive, they seemed to eat any insects which flew, they did seem to have a huge preference for bumble bees though.

 

[Chosun Juan]

WOW ! Yes ! Fantastic photographs !

This question has always puzzled me in relation to our Rainbow Bee-Eaters in Australia. They evolved in the absence of the now widespread introduced European Honey Bee. As far as I know, there are ~1500 species of indigenous "native" bees, with the social ones being stingless.

I wonder how our Rainbow Bee-Eaters cope with the introduced European Honey Bee with its sting. This "feral" bee is now widespread in bushland, and is responsible for taking over many tree hollows needed by our beautiful native birds to nest in. A real problem. The European Honey Bee seems to be able to increase its range and numbers despite any predation by the Rainbow Bee-Eaters. In fact I was surprised (shocked) when walking through reasonably remote bushland recently, to see swarms of "feral" bees in many tree hollows. :-C



Chosun :gh:

 

[S_Man]

Thank you, Gretchen.

@keith: no more breeding attempts in the UK since then?

@Chosun: I have seen hornet hives destroyed by what I supposed was woodpecker looking for larvaes, so I suppose they could also prey on bee hives? Some mammals (like bears) are crazy about honey, let's hope some Australian animals will also develop a taste for it?

 

[Miroslav]

I have also seen them with hornets! Not sure but perhaps they can remove the dart?

They do it very easy. After landing on the branch they still keep the hornet by beak. Few hits on the branch and dart is removed.

Thanks for sharing wonderful photos of Bee-eaters in flight!

 

[Rapala]

Wow! Amazing photos! Bee Eaters are one of the many birds I am jealous of not having in North America. Thanks for posting!

 

[keith]

Thank you, Gretchen.

@keith: no more breeding attempts in the UK since then?

@Chosun: I have seen hornet hives destroyed by what I supposed was woodpecker looking for larvaes, so I suppose they could also prey on bee hives? Some mammals (like bears) are crazy about honey, let's hope some Australian animals will also develop a taste for it?

Only one attempt that I know of, they were dug out by a fox, sorry about the delay in responding. Your photos are wonderful by the way.