The blue-bearded bee-eater is a species of bee-eater found in much of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. This bee-eater is found in forest clearings. It is found mainly in the Malayan region but extends west into peninsular India. The blue feathers of its throat are elongated and often fluffed giving it its name. They have a loud call but are not as gregarious or active as the smaller bee-eaters, and their square ended tail lacks the typical "wires" made up of the shafts of the longer central tail feathers found in many other bee-eaters.
Region
Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Indian subcontinent east through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and into parts of southern China and the Malay region. Prefers forest edges, clearings, and semi-open interiors of evergreen and moist deciduous forests, as well as bamboo stands and older secondary growth. Often found along forest tracks and near streams where insect activity is high. It tolerates some disturbance and may use plantations adjacent to forest, but avoids very open country.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of the largest bee-eaters, it hunts from shaded forest perches and sallies out to snatch bees, wasps, and other flying insects. The elongated cobalt throat feathers form a distinctive “beard” that is often fluffed during displays. Like other bee-eaters, it nests in a burrow excavated in an earthen bank, sometimes over a meter long. It is less gregarious than smaller, open-country bee-eaters and is usually seen singly or in pairs.
Nominate subspecies perched on an Erythrina sp., Bangladesh
The feathers of the chin are long and sometimes raised up into a "beard".
The nest tunnel excavated in a vertical mud bank
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, direct sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs and less gregarious than many bee-eaters. Breeds in burrows dug into earthen banks or sloping ground; tunnels can exceed a meter in length. Likely monogamous; both sexes excavate, incubate, and feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, ringing, and somewhat harsh calls that carry through forest, often a repeated ki-ki-ki or grating prruk notes. Vocalizations are given from concealed perches and can sound slower and more resonant than the trills of smaller bee-eaters.
