Green bee-eaters are a colorful species of bird found in parts of Asia, Africa, and Australia. Their vibrant green plumage makes them stand out against tree canopies and grasslands. But just how big are these beautiful birds?
Average Size of Green Bee-Eaters
Green bee-eaters are medium-sized birds, averaging around 9-11 inches (25-28 cm) in length from the tip of their beak to the end of their tail feathers. Their wingspans range between 15-17 inches (38-44 cm).
In terms of weight, green bee-eaters typically weigh 1.5-2.2 ounces (40-65 grams). The males and females are similar sizes.
Size Differences Between Subspecies
There are several subspecies of green bee-eater spread across Africa, Asia, and Australia. Some variations in size can exist between the subspecies.
For example, the Southeast Asian green bee-eater (Merops viridis) is the smallest subspecies. These birds measure around 9 inches (23 cm) long with a 15 inch (38 cm) wingspan. They weigh about 1.5 ounces (42 grams).
The largest green bee-eater is the Oriental green bee-eater (Merops orientalis) of South Asia. This subspecies reaches lengths of 11 inches (28 cm) and can have wingspans over 17 inches (44 cm). Their weight can approach 2.2 ounces (65 grams).
The African and Australian subspecies are closer in size to the averages mentioned earlier. However, the Australian little green bee-eater is smaller at around 8 inches (20 cm) long.
Size Comparisons With Other Bird Species
Compared to other types of birds, green bee-eaters are about the same size as sparrows or starlings. Here are some size comparisons between green bee-eaters and other common birds:
Bird Species | Length | Wingspan | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Green bee-eater | 9-11 in (25-28 cm) | 15-17 in (38-44 cm) | 1.5-2.2 oz (40-65 g) |
Sparrow | 5.5-7 in (14-18 cm) | 7.5-9.8 in (19-25 cm) | 0.6-1.2 oz (18-35 g) |
Starling | 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm) | 13-17 in (34-43 cm) | 2.1-3.5 oz (60-100 g) |
Crow | 15-20 in (38-50 cm) | 33-39 in (85-100 cm) | 12-21 oz (340-600 g) |
As you can see, green bee-eaters and sparrows are similar small songbirds, while starlings are a bit larger. Crows are much bigger birds than bee-eaters.
Key Body Measurements
In addition to their length and wingspan, there are some other key body measurements that give a sense of a green bee-eater’s size:
- Beak Length: 1.2-1.5 inches (3-4 cm)
- Tail Length: 2.4-4 inches (6-10 cm)
- Tarsus (lower leg) Length: 0.4-0.7 inches (1-1.8 cm)
The bee-eater has a slim, pointed beak for catching insects in flight. Their two central tail feathers are especially elongated, accounting for around half of their total tail length.
Factors Influencing Size
Several factors can contribute to variations in size between individual green bee-eaters within a subspecies:
Age
Like most bird species, green bee-eaters gain their full adult plumage and size by around 12 months old. When they first leave the nest, fledglings are quite small at just 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) long.
Gender
As mentioned earlier, male and female green bee-eaters are generally the same size. However, in some cases, males may be slightly larger.
Food Availability
Access to adequate food during development impacts a bee-eater’s size. Bee-eaters with sufficient foraging resources tend to be larger.
Climate and Range
Environmental conditions also play a role. Larger bee-eaters are often found in colder climates at higher latitudes according to Bergmann’s rule. The same principles apply to elevational differences.
Uses for Size Estimation
Knowing the typical sizes of green bee-eaters can be useful for several reasons:
- Identifying them in the field alongside other bird species
- Providing proper housing in zoos and aviaries
- Estimating prey size and energy requirements
- Understanding their evolution and taxonomy
Scientists and bird enthusiasts can easily distinguish green bee-eaters from larger birds or smaller warblers based on their length and silhouette in flight.
Zoos making enclosures for green bee-eaters would need to construct spaces large enough for the birds to move around in. The inner dimensions should be wider than their wingspan to allow for flight.
Knowing their weight ranges gives insight into the amount of food they require. Green bee-eaters are insectivores, mainly feeding on bees, wasps, dragonflies and other flying bugs they catch on the wing.
Finally, size data aids ornithologists in studying green bee-eater genetics, evolution, and how they are related to similar species. Their morphology reveals insights into their taxonomy.
Conclusion
Green bee-eaters are colorful, medium-sized songbirds that inhabit wide ranges across Africa, Asia, and Australia. They average around 9-11 inches long with 15-17 inch wingspans and weigh 1.5-2.2 ounces.
Slight variations in size exist between the different geographic subspecies. However, green bee-eaters are generally similar in size to sparrows or starlings.
Their elongated, pointed beaks and tails are key adaptations for catching flying insect prey. Knowing details about their physical size aids in bird identification, avian care, and understanding their ecological roles.