White-fronted Bee-eater

Merops bullockoides

A bright and colorful bee-eater; the red throat and white line under the black face mask render it unmistakable. Pairs and groups inhabit woodland adjacent to watercourses, hillsides, and scrub, especially near earthen banks, where nesting colonies are formed by up to 450 individuals burrowing into the dirt. They have one of the most complex of all avian societies, featuring families, clans, and pirates! A nasal rolling “ngyaaau” is the main vocalization.

Identification

This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird, but with a distinctive black mask, white forehead, square tail and a bright red throat. The size is 23 cm (9 in.). The upperparts are green, with cinnamon underparts. The call is a deep squeak.

Taxonomy

Genus: Merops; Family: Meropidae; Order: Coraciiformes.

Scientific name
Merops bullockoides
Authority
Smith, A, 1834
Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Meropidae
Genus
Merops

Range and habitat

White-fronted bee-eaters are found in the vast savannah regions of sub-equatorial Africa. The habitat commonly consists of open country, often near gullies, where bees, their prey, live.

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: rising.

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Red-and-white Crake

Red-and-white Crake

Rufirallus leucopyrrhus

Uncommon and very difficult to see; usually detected by voice, a throaty chatter. Favors wetlands with tall coarse grasses. Note rufous head, brownish back, and white throat and breast with black-and-white broken stripes on the flanks and vent. Lacks the dark cap of the similar Rufous-sided Crake.

Delicate Prinia

Delicate Prinia

Prinia lepida

Tiny, disproportionately long-tailed, active, and vocal. The upperparts are gray-brown with heavy dark streaking, the underparts are pale, and each tail feather shows both pale and dark tips. Generally found in rather moist habitats within arid zones, including field margins, riparian woodland, scrub, gardens, and wetlands; can be quite numerous. Very vocal, especially in spring. The song is a rattling series of dry chirps, subtly different from the slower-paced song of Graceful Prinia. Males often sing from obvious perches. Visually extremely similar to Graceful Prinia, but there is little overlap in range. In any areas of overlap, best separated by song, but Delicate is also slightly longer- and narrower-tailed and browner.

Blue-billed Malimbe

Blue-billed Malimbe

Malimbus nitens

A distinctive malimbe of lowland forests, particularly favoring lowland swamps with palms and areas near water, often in the understory. Overall glossy black with a triangular red throat patch and a pale gray-blue bill. Occurs in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of malimbe. The only malimbe with a combination of entirely dark upperparts, red throat, and black vent. Song includes whistled and mechanical notes with rasps, and calls include short rasping “rhewp” notes. 

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.