Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater | |
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Information | |
Range | Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. |
Scientific Classification | |
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Order | Coraciiformes |
Family | Meropidae |
Genus | Merops |
Species | Merops oreobates |
Conservation Status | |
Least Concern |
The Cinnamon-chested bee-eater (Merops oreobates), is a species of bee-eater in the Meropidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This bird occurs in upland regions and can be found associated with wooded hillsides and forest edges. It can be distinguished from the somewhat similar little bee-eater by its larger size, darker colouring, white cheek patches and the upland habitat where it is found. Its diet consists mainly of honeybees although it also eats moths, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles and other flying insects. It seems to be an adaptable species and able to withstand loss of its forest habitat. It measures 22 cm (8.7 in) in length and weighs 17–38 g (0.60–1.34 oz).