Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Rainbow Bee-eater is one of approximately 30 species of Bee-eater worldwide, although the taxonomy is not fully settled. They are a stunning family of Passerines ( song/ perching species ) and the Rainbow Bee-eater is no exception.
They can be observed, skillfully hawking for bees and other insects, before alighting on a branch to digest their prey. The stinger is removed from bees before they are eaten and in the case of larger insects, they may be bashed repeatedly on a branch in order for the prey to be digested.
The males are separated from the females by the longer tail streamer. Mature birds are much brighter and appear different colours ( ie blue or green ) as the light reflects on the iridescent plumage. This species can be seen right across the Australian continent and they do undertake large seasonal movements as they seek out suitable feeding and breeding territories.
Breeding often takes place in small, loose colonies. A nesting tunnel is excavated in a sandy bank, where 3-5 white eggs are laid, occasionally more.
In this video, one can observe some juveniles which are yet to develop the brighter adult plumage. It is remarkable to think that birds of only a few weeks of age, have developed the skill to hawk for tiny insects as this takes incredible precision and skill.
I think the setting is stunning as the water provides a beautiful backdrop.
What do you think?
More of my productions here: youtube.com/c/Timsiggs
This from Birdlife Australia:
A striking, colourful bird, the Rainbow Bee-eater is medium sized, with a long slim curved bill and a long tail with distinctive tail-streamers. It has a golden crown and a red eye set in a wide black stripe from the base of the bill to the ears, which is edged with a thin blue line. The throat is orange-yellow, with a broad black band separating it from a green breast. The upperparts are green, with the flight feathers coppery and black tipped. The underwings are bright orange, with a black edge. The lower abdomen is blue. The tail is black, including the long tail streamers, with a blue tinge. Females have shorter, thicker tail streamers than males, but are otherwise similar. Young birds are duller and greener, lacking the black band on the chest and the long tail streamers.
The Rainbow Bee-eater is one of approximately 30 species of Bee-eater worldwide, although the taxonomy is not fully settled. They are a stunning family of Passerines ( song/ perching species ) and the Rainbow Bee-eater is no exception.
They can be observed, skillfully hawking for bees and other insects, before alighting on a branch to digest their prey. The stinger is removed from bees before they are eaten and in the case of larger insects, they may be bashed repeatedly on a branch in order for the prey to be digested.
The males are separated from the females by the longer tail streamer. Mature birds are much brighter and appear different colours ( ie blue or green ) as the light reflects on the iridescent plumage. This species can be seen right across the Australian continent and they do undertake large seasonal movements as they seek out suitable feeding and breeding territories.
Breeding often takes place in small, loose colonies. A nesting tunnel is excavated in a sandy bank, where 3-5 white eggs are laid, occasionally more.
In this video, one can observe some juveniles which are yet to develop the brighter adult plumage. It is remarkable to think that birds of only a few weeks of age, have developed the skill to hawk for tiny insects as this takes incredible precision and skill.
I think the setting is stunning as the water provides a beautiful backdrop.
What do you think?
More of my productions here: youtube.com/c/Timsiggs
This from Birdlife Australia:
A striking, colourful bird, the Rainbow Bee-eater is medium sized, with a long slim curved bill and a long tail with distinctive tail-streamers. It has a golden crown and a red eye set in a wide black stripe from the base of the bill to the ears, which is edged with a thin blue line. The throat is orange-yellow, with a broad black band separating it from a green breast. The upperparts are green, with the flight feathers coppery and black tipped. The underwings are bright orange, with a black edge. The lower abdomen is blue. The tail is black, including the long tail streamers, with a blue tinge. Females have shorter, thicker tail streamers than males, but are otherwise similar. Young birds are duller and greener, lacking the black band on the chest and the long tail streamers.
