Wild Facts

After spending the last couple of days talking about unique amphibians I wanted to mix up the Wild Facts today.  My first instinct was to write about a cool insect but thought my readers may not appreciate that today.  I made a compromise and decided to write up a Wild Fact on the Green Bee-Eater also known as the Little Green Bee-Eater. To witness this little green bird we need to make a travel decision.  Do you prefer to go to Africa, Western Arabia or Asia? Personally, I have gone to Africa quite a bit with these Wild Facts so I think I will head out to India today, who is with me?

The Green Bee-Eater is a small bird often found in open forests and grasslands on either continent they reside on. They will usually only grow to about 18 cm (7″) in length but have a wingspan of 30 cm (1 foot).  As you may have guessed they primarily feed on bees. In fact about 80% of their diet is comprised of honeybees.  The rest of their diet consists of other bees or various flying insects. I personally think it would be better if they didn’t eat bees and they were just named that to throw us off.  You know, call it the Green Bee-Eater but this little bird actually eats lions, zebras or some other ridiculous animal.  I know, it is late and I am getting silly!

Green Bee-Eaters Sand Bathing. Photo by J.M. Garg

All right, moving on.  The Little Green Bee-Eater and I have something in common. We are both slow starters in the morning. Yup, this little bird can often be viewed huddling up with other bee-eaters long after sunrise. Something this bee-eater and I don’t have in common is the fact that they like to bathe quite frequently.  They are known to sand bathe, which sounds odd to me but I am not a bird so who knows.  As well, they will mix up their sand baths with a more traditional water bath but do so during flight.  Flying and bathing, now that is a talent! Oh and for the record, I was just kidding about me not bathing.  Believe it or not, I try to bathe or shower at least once a month.

Green Bee-Eater Fast Fact – The Green Bee-Eaters nest in tunnels through the sandy banks.  The female will lay 5 eggs which both parents will help incubate.  Once the babies are born both parents as well as other bee-eaters will help raise the little fledglings.

Thanks for checking out today’s Wild Fact!  See you tomorrow with the final fact of the week.