White-fronted Bee-eater
Afrikaans name: Rooikeelbyvreter

White-fronted Bee-eater
Photo © Steven Herbert
Merops bullockoides
The White-fronted Bee-eater is a beautiful bird with its red throat, black band through the eye bordered with white.
Their diet consits mainly of honey bees but they do catch other insects. They wait on a low perch to fly out and catch their prey often returning to the same perch.
The White-fronted Bee-eater breeds in colonies in sand banks. Breeding pairs have helpers.
Their preferred habitat is savanna and they can often be seen near water courses.
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 126The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 166
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 85
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 252
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 260
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 381
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 293
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 385
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 277
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 246
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 246
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 126
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 180
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 61
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 47
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 147
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 44
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 100
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 164
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 132
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 175
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 100