Merops bulocki bulocki

(Vieillot, 1817)

Vernacular names
English : Red-throated Bee-eater
French : Guêpier à gorge rouge

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Coraciiformes
Family : Meropidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 22 cm for a weight of 28 g. Long black bill, black mask. Wings, lower back and tail greenish, mantle and nape brown-green. Blue rump, orange belly, bright red (sometimes yellow) throat, green crown for this subspecies.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in northern-central Africa, from Senegal to east Central African Republic and from Ethiopia to northern Uganda. Lives in savanna woodlands, forest edges, close to streams with hard sand cliffs.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range and remains at least locally common. It is highly dependant on rivers with hard sand cliffs for breeding.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Oklahoma City Zoo (USA), Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Zoo Plzen (Czechia), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany)

 

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