Description
The Asian Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) is a striking small bird known for its vivid green plumage, slender body, pointed bill, dark eye stripe and elongated central tail feathers. Also known as the Green Bee-eater or Little Green Bee-eater, it is one of the colorful insect-eating birds found across the Indian subcontinent.
This original Asian Green Bee-eater photograph from Gujarat, India captures the distinctive beauty of this agile bird in its natural environment. The species is commonly associated with open landscapes, farmland, grassland, thin scrub, forest clearings and areas around villages and human habitation.
Product Details
Common Name: Asian Green Bee-eater
Other Names: Green Bee-eater, Little Green Bee-eater
Scientific Name: Merops orientalis
Family: Meropidae
Order: Coraciiformes
Type: Bee-eater / Insectivorous Bird
Location: Gujarat, India
Status: Resident
Habitat: Open country, grassland, farmland, scrub, forest clearings, gardens and sparse woodland
Diet: Mainly flying insects including bees, wasps, ants, dragonflies and other insects
Global Conservation Status: Least Concern
Indian Wildlife Protection Status: Schedule II
Photographer: Amarjeetsinh Jhala
Feeding & Natural Behaviour
The Asian Green Bee-eater is primarily an insectivorous bird. It frequently launches from a perch to catch flying insects in mid-air before returning to a branch, wire, fence or other suitable perch. Its diet includes a variety of flying insects such as bees, wasps, ants and dragonflies.
Its aerial hunting behaviour makes the Asian Green Bee-eater an especially interesting subject for bird photography and wildlife photography. Its bright green plumage and characteristic black facial and throat markings also make it highly recognizable in the field.
Identification
The Asian Green Bee-eater has predominantly green plumage, a slender black bill, a dark mask extending through the eye and a distinctive dark throat band. The central tail feathers are elongated, creating the characteristic appearance associated with many bee-eaters.
The species is generally seen in pairs or small groups and may use exposed perches while watching for flying insects. It can occur in agricultural landscapes, open country, forest edges, gardens and other relatively open habitats.
Conservation Status
According to the State of India’s Birds 2025, the Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) is classified as Low Priority in India and Least Concern globally. It is listed under Schedule II of India’s Wildlife Protection Act and is considered a resident species with non-specialized habitat requirements.
Documenting familiar species such as the Asian Green Bee-eater through wildlife photography helps showcase India’s remarkable bird diversity and provides visual material for nature education, editorial work and conservation awareness.
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