Merops pusillus
The Little Bee-eater is, at a weight of about 15g and length of around 16cm, the smallest of Africa’s bee-eaters and probably also in the world. Despite their small size they’re excellent at catching the bees, wasps and hornets that make up the bulk of their diet. Seldomly encountered far from water, Little Bee-eaters inhabit open woodlands and savannas where it catches its prey on the wing. Before swallowing their potentially dangerous prey they disarm the stingers by swiping it against a branch or other hard surface.
Contrary to most other bee-eaters, Little Bee-eaters are solitary breeders, making nest in long tunnels (up to 1.3m!) they dig themselves in earthen walls and riverbanks, usually in spring and early summer before the peak of the rainy season endangers their nesting sites. The pair is monogamous and take it in turns to incubate the clutch of 2-6 eggs over a period of around 19 days. The chicks leave the nest between 3 and 4 weeks after hatching and stay with the parents for several weeks more afterwards. Little Bee-eaters are normally seen in pairs or family groups of up to ten that roost tightly together at night.
Little Bee-eaters occur in all South Africa’s provinces with the exception of the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape. North of our borders, the Little Bee-eater occurs over most of sub-Saharan Africa. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern despite noting that efforts to control insect outbreaks are contributing to a decline in their population, which, at an estimated 60-million+, is likely the most numerous of all Africa’s bee-eaters.
DeWetsWild 
Gorgeous photos of such an exquisite little bird. How incredible that such a tiny bird excavates such a long tunnel for its nest.
I wish we could actually see inside the tunnel to understand how they do it!
Absolutely – neither their feet nor bills look adapted for digging! I was also astonished when I learnt that some kingfishers also excavate incredibly long tunnels.
In my next life I really should become a videographer for National Geographic. Or one of those scientists that give things names so that we can get rid of all the “common”s and “lesser”s in the monikers of beautiful plants and wildlife.
Quite a toss up which would be preferable!
Hello Dries,
Seeing this handsome fellow really brightened my day. Thank you.
Unfortunately the pandemic is getting worse in my country. I do hope you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and take good care.
I am so sorry to hear that things are getting out of hand in your homeland too, Takami, and we’ll sincerely be praying and hoping for your health and safety!
Thank you Dries, that means a lot 🙂
Such beautiful and dainty birds, Dries. How amazing that they can dig tunnels. I love fact that they are such close-knit families. So cute. Lovely photos. 😍
Thanks very much, Sylvia. These little beauties really live interesting lives!
What a sweetie.
Oh so true, Tracy!
This bird is delightful! What gorgeous colors.
Definitely little winged jewels, Kathy!
Nature has such interesting adaptations. I find it fascinating that they use tunnels. Fascinating species.
I’m with you there, John – amazing to think that a bird is even capable of making a tunnel!
Such gorgeous photographs of a beautiful little creature. Love these. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much, Carol! They’re a favourite of mine.
Gorgeous bird (I’ve only seen the European variety) and that header image is a beaut!
Thanks very much, Brian! The European Bee-eaters visit us in summer – I’ll try to convince one of them to take a Little Bee-eater along to you.
Beautiful photographs of an exquisite bird – every one of them!
Very kind of you, thank you Anne!
So n pragtige ou voeltjie!
Baie beslis, Aletta
I questioned this pretty little one eating wasps and hornets, but one look at that beak….! Still such a beautiful bird.
Beautiful AND perfectly suited to its role on the planet, Lois. Pity we can’t say that about all human celebrities…
I’ve seen this bird depicted in every photo magazine of famous photographers. I don’t have one yet. He’s such photogenic bird! Nice post, D. Thank you. 🙂
Come on over here to South Africa and add to your collection, H.J! Thank you for your kind words.
What a fierce little bird. That beak is designed perfectly for stabbing bees or other small insects.
Perfectly designed for its purpose!
That sharp little beak could impale most any insect, but why bees in particular?
I guess that was the niche intended for the bee-eaters, Beth!
Watter pragtige ou dingetjie!
Klein geveerde juweeltjies, Tannie Frannie!