Merops bullockoides:

White-Fronted Bee-Eater

Image courtesy of Clive Temple

General Information

The White-fronted bee-eater is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with most studies on the species performed at Lake Nakuru National Park in west-central Kenya. They are considered a relatively common species in Kenya and northern Tanzania, especially in bush and woodland habitats (Zimmerman 1996). Closely related to kingfishers and rollers, the species is one of twenty-five species of bee eaters worldwide and one of eighteen in Africa (wildwatch 2003). White-fronted bee-eaters are considered to be medium sized birds and have no noticeable sexual dimorphism with the exception of a six percent difference in weight between adult males and females (Fay 1972). Among adult bee-eaters, adult survivorship is 74 percent per year (Emlen and Wrege 1991). Researchers find them to be good organisms for behavioral studies because many can be studied at one time in a given area due to their colonial nature; they forage in open habitats; and they allow humans to approach within fifteen to twenty meters (Hegner 1982).

Seasonality

As a result of living in the unpredictable, dry climate of sub-Saharan Africa, white-fronted bee-eaters have adapted most of their life strategies, including breeding seasonality and nestling competition, to coincide with environmental conditions (Emlen 1981). Strategies may vary from year to year as a result of rainfall level and associated insect availability (Emlen 1981).

Feeding Strategy

White-fronted bee eaters are insectivorous and, therefore, rely heavily upon the fluctuating availability of food resources (Emlen 1981). Although they are generally gregarious and colonial, the white-fronted bee-eaters employ a “sit and wait” hunting strategy, in which they sit on a perch until an insect comes within striking distance, and are, therefore, solitary hunters (Hegner and Emlen 1987). In order for such a waiting strategy to be effective, bee-eaters must hunt for insects between six and eight hours a day (Hegner and Emlen 1987).

Predation

Common predators of nests include hawks, especially Madagascar Harrier Hawks, and Horus swifts. (Wrege and Emlen 1991).

This web site was completed by Lauren McCulloch in partial fufillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the Spring Semester 2006. Please email lamcculloch "at" davidson.edu , or Dr. Verna Case with any questions or comments.