Green Bee-eater
The Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) is a widespread resident across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. It also occurs along the Nile Valley and from Arabia east until Vietnam. I have photographed these colourful birds in Kachchh, western India, near the ancient ruins of the Indus civilization called Dholavira in January 2014.
Bee-eaters spend most of their time perching on fences or branches interrupted by short sweeps to catch insects. Other activites include bathing – mainly in sand, less so in water. They breed in burrows within mud banks which can reach a depth of up to 2 m. Fortunately for humans, they are pretty tame and do not flee easily or avoid areas inhabited by humans. Therefore, they can be readily observed, however, for photographers they are sometimes a little too skittish – flying here and there. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the photographs!
Green Bee-eater
Green Bee-eater
Green Bee-eater
Matt Travels 
Gosh that’s breathtaking.
thanks 🙂 I am happy you like it!
Bee-eaters are such a delight, especially for us North American residents who can never get enough of this Old World bird. Your photos are stunning, and I especially like the last one with the contrast of the bright green on the rocks.
thank you! 🙂 I am also not used to see bee-eaters a lot! The European Bee-eater occurs in Germany and is also very colourful and pretty, but I have never seen one here – I have seen them in Italy once, but generally I always had to travel overseas to spot one! 🙂 glad you like the photographs!
Amazing colours! Are these males or are the females bright green too?
hello and thanks for your comment – as far as I know, both sexes have the same colouration!