Bee-eater
VU

Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bee-eater

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

European Bee-eaters face significant population declines across their range due to intensive agricultural practices that reduce insect prey availability and eliminate nesting sites in sandy banks and quarries. Climate change is altering migration patterns and breeding success, while habitat fragmentation from urban development and infrastructure projects destroys traditional colony sites. Pesticide use in agricultural areas has dramatically reduced flying insect populations, forcing birds to travel greater distances to find adequate food sources during the critical breeding season.

Threat summary

Habitat

European Bee-eaters inhabit open countryside with scattered trees, river valleys, and areas with exposed sandy or clay banks suitable for excavating nesting burrows. They prefer agricultural landscapes with hedgerows, orchards, and grasslands that support abundant flying insect populations, particularly near water sources and traditional quarry sites.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bee-eater classified as Vulnerable?
Bee-eater is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. European Bee-eaters face significant population declines across their range due to intensive agricultural practices that reduce insect prey availability and eliminate nesting sites in sandy banks and quarries. Climate change is altering migration patterns and breeding success, while habitat fragmentation from urban development and infrastructure projects destroys traditional colony sites. Pesticide use in agricultural areas has dramatically reduced flying insect populations, forcing birds to travel greater distances to find adequate food sources during the critical breeding season.
Where does Bee-eater live?
Bee-eater occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bee-eater?
The main threats to Bee-eater are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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