Merops apiaster, commonly known as the European Bee-eater, is native to a wide geographical range extending across southern Europe, parts of northwestern Africa, and western and central Asia. They are migratory birds, spending the breeding season in Europe and parts of Asia, and migrating to sub-Saharan Africa for the non-breeding season.

The European Bee-eater typically inhabits open, warm, and dry environments that feature light, sandy soils. They prefer areas with sparse and low vegetation such as savannas, open woodlands, agricultural fields, and grasslands near water bodies. During the breeding season, they are often found in riverbanks and sandpits where they can burrow nests into vertical earthen banks.

European Bee-eaters occupy an ecological niche as insectivorous birds, primarily preying on bees, wasps, and other flying insects. They have evolved to catch and handle stinging insects with adept skill, utilizing their long, pointed bills to secure prey and their ability to 'de-sting' bees. Their role as predators of insects helps to control pest populations, and they are considered important to the ecosystems they inhabit.