FASCINATING FACT

Birds and the bees

Across the animal kingdom, many species have evolved highly specialised diets. Of these, many will feed on plants and insects that are considered hazardous at best and potentially life-threatening.

There are around 27 species of bee-eater (Meropidae) found across Africa, Asia and Southern Europe. These non-passerine birds, as the name suggests, eat bees. For some localities, stinging insects can make up to 89% of the animal’s diet. Bee-eaters can spot their prey up to 60m away and will catch them in mid-air. These aerobatics are performed at high-speed in a head-on manoeuvre.

When a bee-eater catches its prey it will find a perch, close its eyes and smash it against an abrasive surface. By rubbing the bee against the surface, it removes the stinger and venom sack from the insect before consuming it. This precision method of hunting is thought to be innate. Ornithologists have observed juvenile bee-eaters exhibiting this trademark behaviour in captivity. Although they are typically less successful than wild adults and stings do occur, the species appears to instinctively know how to prepare its lunch.