bee-eater

[ bee-ee-ter ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several colorful birds of the family Meropidae, of the Old World tropics, that feed on bees and other insects.

bee-eater

any insectivorous bird of the family Meropidae of tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, having a long downward-curving bill and long pointed wings and tail: order Coraciiformes (kingfishers, etc)

First recorded in 1660–70

Of all feathered fowl, however, none are more brilliant in colour than the bee-eater and the golden oriol.

The latter in its endeavour to escape soars into the air, and the Bee-eater seizing it becomes the prey of the aërial fisherman.

On p. 357 is note and figure of the extinct Moho apicalis, under the name of the "Yellow-tufted Bee-eater."

The blue-tailed bee-eater is distinguishable by its larger size, its yellowish throat, and its blue tail.

Watch a bee-eater feeding and you will see it take twenty or thirty insects in less than an hour.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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