The European Bee-eater in Cyprus
Every spring, something extraordinary happens above the fields and coastal cliffs of Cyprus. A cascade of colour – blues, golds, greens, and chestnuts – streaks through the warm air with a liquid, rolling call that sounds almost like laughter. This is the European Bee-eater, one of the most visually stunning birds to ever grace the Mediterranean skies. To see one is to stop whatever you are doing. To see a hundred of them, which is entirely possible in Cyprus, is to feel the world has briefly become a little more magical. A Bird with Jewels for Feathers The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) or Μελισσοφάγος in Greek, belongs to the family Meropidae – a group of around 30 species of insect-eating birds found across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe. They are, without question, among the most brilliantly coloured birds on the planet. Within this family, the European Bee-eater is by far the most widespread, ranging from Portugal in the west to Mongolia in the east. It is what scientists call a long-distance migrant: a bird that lives a double life, spending summers in the warmth of the Mediterranean and winters deep in the heart of sub-Saharan Africa. Sometimes called the "Golden Bee-eater" in parts of its range, it is present over large areas of Europe, Asia, and Africa during at least some portion of the year. In Cyprus, it is not a resident – it is a seasonal visitor, but one…
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