FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Little Bee-Eater is also known as Merops pusillus scientifically. This bird is found mostly in Africa and specifically Sub-Saharan Africa. This bee-eater eats flying insects like bees, wasps, crickets, and butterflies. The little bee-eater habitat includes open areas with bushes and trees near water sources. They tend to be on low perches to prey or hunt on flying insects as these bee-eaters do not eat insects on the ground. These bee-eaters like others have brightly colored plumage and slender bodies. They have a yellow throat and black gorgets and are green birds because of the upper parts. The breeding happens in pairs and the female lays around four to six white eggs. Incubation takes 18-20 days. They are often confused with little green bee-eater. The little bee-eater adaptations include the holes in the trees and low perches. Mostly, the common bee-eater is found in Africa. The little bee-eater bird is one fascinating creature to know about and if you like, read about the Hawaiian crow and macaroni penguin too.
Little Bee Eaters are birds.
These bee-eaters belong to the class of Aves of birds.
The estimation states that there are around 60-80 million of this bee-eater.
These birds live in woodlands and savannahs and are mostly found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The habitat of this bird is open habitats and areas with bushes and small trees, close to water sources. They hunt on prey found on low and bare branches.
This bird might be solitary and can also be found in small groups or roost communally.
Little bee-eater lifespan ranges from 12-18 years.
Unlike others, this species does not breed in large communities and forms pairs. In southern Africa, breeding takes place at the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season, that is, September-November. Nesting happens in burrows that are around 50-130 cm deep made in sandy lands or abandoned burrows of other animals. Four to six white eggs are laid and these eggs are round in shape. Incubation takes place for around 18-20 days by both males and females.
The conservation status of this bird is Least Concern and they are not thought to be a species at risk.
These birds are bright-colored and slender. The upperparts are green, have a yellow throat, and have black gorgets. The upper breasts are rich brown in color which fades to ochre as it goes down to the belly. The beaks are black and the wings are green and brown. Both the sexes look alike.
These birds are considered cute because of their beautiful and attractive appearance.
These bee-eaters are known to use calls to locate or communicate with their partners. It is believed that their calls are often silent and are a soft 'seep'.
The length of this bird is around 6-7 in (150-170 mm) and weighs up to 0.033 lb (0.015 kg).
The exact speed of this bird is unknown but bee-eaters are known to be quite acrobatic and are good flyers.
These species weigh around 0.033 lb (0.015 kg).
There are no specific names for males and females of the species.
There is no particular name for a baby of this species but the babies of birds in general, are called chicks.
The Little bee-eater diet primarily includes insects like bees, wasps, and hornets. The diet also includes bugs, beetles, termites, moths, and flies. They also eat butterflies, crickets, dragonflies, spiders, and caterpillars.
There have been no harmful instances or incidence recorded yet and thus, this bird is not considered to be dangerous to humans.
It is believed that these birds make good pets just like other softbills. The diet should be live food and the housing should be taken care of as this is a tropical bird and thus, must be kept in heated enclosures in winters if you live in very cold areas. This bird nests in earthen walls, so if you plan to keep this bird as a pet, a mud or an earthen wall should be constructed.
There are almost 27 species of bee-eaters. To look for them in their natural habitat, they are found in open grounds and low perches.
There happen seasonal movements among this species depending on the rainfall pattern.
This bird only catches or preys on flying insects and not on insects laying on the ground.
The stinger of the insects is removed by repeatedly hitting and rubbing the insect on a hard surface.
There is not much difference between males and females as both look alike but in some species, females have shorter streams and duller throats.
This bird makes holes in the trees as they require elevated perches for hunting. Also, the calls of this bird are like a soft seep that is used to locate partners and other communications.
Rainbow bee eaters' calls are high-pitched and have rapid vibrations whereas the call of the little bee-eater is soft. Little bee-eaters are solitary nesters while Rainbow bee-eater roosts in colonies.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the Marbled Murrelet, or the Black Necked Stilt.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Little bee eater coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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