Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is very large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
Southeast Europe holds an estimated 16,900-55,600 mature individuals, with 8,400-27,800 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), but comprises only 5% of the species' global range. The Arabian Peninsula holds approximately 6,000 mature individuals (Symes et al. 2015), comprising around 10% of the global range. Combining these regional sources, a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 150,000-400,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. In Europe, the species' population is considered to have undergone a suspected increase over three generations (10.8 years) (BirdLife International 2021). Based on these data, the global population size is considered to be increasing over three generations.
Trend justification
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In its breeding grounds, this species occupies semi-desert, steppe, dunes, saline pans, cultivation, thorn woodland and sandy slopes with small gulleys, ravines, quarries, pits and embankments. It breeds mainly in sand deserts near bodies of water fringed with reeds and tamarisks. During the non-breeding season it inhabits a wide variety of greener habitats including savanna, broad river valleys, woods, lakeshores, swamps, ponds, dams, waterworks and cultivation (Fry and Kirwan 2012). Eggs generally are laid from March to June, but in any one region all birds lay within three weeks of each other. It nests solitarily, or more commonly in loose colonies (Fry and Kirwan 2012). The nest is a tunnel one to two metres long ending in an enlarged chamber, excavated into sloping ground, vertical bank or even nearly flat ground (Snow and Perrins 1998). Clutch size is typically seven or eight eggs (Fry and Kirwan 2012). It feeds entirely on winged insects, such as dragonflies and damselflies which are important throughout the year. The species is migratory and winters almost entirely within Africa (Snow and Perrins 1998).
The species suffers from human disturbance, particularly in colonies near human habitation. Agricultural development can destroy or displace flat-ground colonies (Fry and Kirwan 2012).
Conservation Actions Underway
There are currently no known specific conservation measures for this species within its European range.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Nesting sites should be protected from disturbance and agricultural development. Research should be undertaken into the impacts posed by agriculture and disturbance as well as studies examining factors of nest site selection (Yuan et al. 2006).
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/blue-cheeked-bee-eater-merops-persicus on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.