Although at the Waterberg Game Lodge, we get a few different kinds of Bee Eaters such as the White-fronted, we only see the European during the warmer summer and spring months once they return from their European migration. European Bee Eaters are real sun chasers and practically don’t spend any time anywhere there is winter.
When it starts to get cold in South Africa around the end of April, these birds disappear in their masses and travel north to Europe and Asia where they breed in the warm northern summer. They return to South Africa. It has been noted that during the breeding season the male bird will feed the female bigger meals whilst eating smaller ones himself.
As their name suggests, they feed mostly on flying insects such as bees. They are extremely good at catching prey on the wing which is a convenient skill during long distance migrations. Another interesting skill they have is to smack a bee they have just caught on a branch whilst perched to remove its stinger.
These birds are great to photograph as they are brightly coloured and abundant during summer. At the Waterberg Game Lodge you will also have the opportunity to watch and photograph the other species of Bee eaters throughout the year with the Little bee eater being our favourite.