27 – 29 cm
European Bee-Eater
Merops apiaster
44 – 49 cm
minor concern
flying over the village or in open areas
flying insects, especially wasps, bees and blowflies
very common
This bird is said to have appeared in Lleida at the beginning of the 20th century, coinciding with the construction of the dams and canals by Barcelona Traction Light and Power, popularly known as “la Canadenca”.
Since the company was originally from Canada, people thought that the company’s workers had brought the birds.
They capture insects in flight and remove the sting by rubbing them against a hard surface.