Breeding ecology of the blue-throated bee-eater (Merops viridis Linnaeus, 1758) in central China: implications for conservation

Abstract The blue-throated bee-eater Merops viridis (Coraciiformes: Meropidae) is the most widely distributed species of the family Meropidae in China; however, studies on its breeding ecology and conservation are lacking. Data on the breeding ecology of the blue-throated bee-eater were collected in Ji’an, Jiangxi Province, from 2010 to 2024. The blue-throated bee-eaters arrived in mid-May and left in early September. They typically bred only once, with egg-laying occurring between mid-June and early July. Clutch size ranged from two to seven eggs (4.8 ± 1.4 SD). Both the incubation and nestling periods lasted approximately 20 days. The blue-throated bee-eaters excavated nest burrows themselves in May and July, and wind direction during the breeding season was a key factor influencing burrow orientation. This study provides a foundation for further research on the conservation biology of the blue-throated bee-eater, and contributes to the formulation of conservation strategies for this species.