Merops apiaster
The European Bee-eater is probably the most exotic and colourful bird that regularly breeds in Romania. Its flocks are easily recognised by liquid, melodious calls ("priu-priu") and acrobatic flight over open areas.
Plumage is a rainbow of colours: crown and back chestnut, shoulders yellow, throat yellow bordered with black, belly blue-green. The bill is long, black and slightly curved, perfectly adapted for catching insects in flight. Eyes are red, and adults have elongated central tail feathers.
Prefers open, sunny areas with steep earthen banks where it excavates nesting galleries. In the Danube Delta, bee-eater colonies can be found on the banks of main channels or in earth quarries on ridges.
Feeds exclusively on insects caught in flight. Famous for its ability to neutralise bee or wasp stings before swallowing by striking the insect's head against a branch. Extremely social, nesting in colonies that can number dozens or hundreds of pairs.
LC. Although the population is stable, the species depends on undisturbed natural banks and availability of food (large insects), and is indirectly affected by pesticide use.