White-fronted Bee-eater

Merops bullockoides Smith, A, 1834

White-fronted Bee-eater, Merops bullockoides, is a bee-eater that breeds across Africa from Gabon to Kenya, south to southern Angola, central South Africa and southern Mozambique. It is found in open savannah country, often close to gullies. The bird is marked by a white forehead, a black mask and a bright red throat, with a square tail. It nests in small colonies, making burrows in cliffs or earth banks. It is often seen in low trees, where it takes flying insects by short pursuit flights or by dropping down and hovering briefly before catching them.

Order

Coraciiformes

Family

Meropidae — Bee-eaters

Breeding range

Africa: Gabon to Kenya, s to s Angola, c South Africa and s Mozambique