How Does the Little Bee-eater in Uganda Look Like?

The Little Bee-Eater in Uganda is one of the African birds of Uganda seen during birding in Uganda. The little bee-eater is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It is resident in much of Sub-Saharan Africa Particularly in Lake Mburo national park-Uganda.

It should not be confused with the little green bee-eater. Migration is limited to seasonal movements depending on rainfall patterns.

This species, like other bee-eaters, is a rich and brightly colored slender bird. It has green upper parts, yellow throat, black gorget, and rich brown upper breast fading to buffish ocre on the belly.

The wings are green and brown, and the beak is black. It reaches a length of 15–17 cm, which makes it the smallest African bee-eater. Sexes are alike.

This is an abundant and tame bird, familiar throughout its range.

How Does the Little Bee-eater in Uganda Sing and Make Calls?

Often silent, their call is a soft “seep.

How Does the Little Bee-eater in Uganda Feed?

Just as the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch.

This species often hunts from low perches, maybe only a meter or less high. Before eating its meal, a bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface.

How Does the Little Bee-eater in Uganda Nest?

Unlike most bee-eaters, these are solitary nesters, making a tunnel in sandy banks, or sometimes in the entrance to an Aardvark den.

How Does the Little bee-eater in Uganda Reproduce?

Little bee-eaters breed in open country with bushes, preferably near water. They lay 4 to 6 spherical white eggs.

Both the male and the female take care of the eggs. These birds roost communally, lined up on a tree branch.