About Merops hirundineus A.A.H.Lichtenstein, 1793
Like other bee-eaters, the swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus, is a richly coloured, slender bird. Its distinct colouration and clearly visible forked tail make it easily identifiable. It is primarily green, with a yellow throat, blue upper chest, and a black stripe through the eye along with a black beak. Adult swallow-tailed bee-eaters reach a total length of 20 to 22 cm, this measurement includes the long forked tail feathers which can be green or blue. Male and female individuals have identical appearance. This species breeds in the savannah woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is partially migratory, and its movements follow changes in rainfall patterns. Compared to most other bee-eater species, the swallow-tailed bee-eater prefers habitats that are somewhat more heavily wooded.
