The blue-breasted bee-eater is a central African species of bird. It is a member of the family Meropidae. Meropids are all visually similar and have a diet specialized in Hymenopterans.
Region
Central and East Africa
Typical Environment
Prefers edges of moist forests, riverine woodlands, and swamp or papyrus margins, as well as overgrown clearings and cultivated fields near water. Often perches on exposed twigs, reed stems, and low branches overlooking open airspace for aerial sallies. Utilizes sandy or earthen banks for nesting burrows, including along rivers, road cuttings, and termite mounds. Occurs in both primary and secondary habitats where insect prey is abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A colorful member of the bee-eater family Meropidae, the blue-breasted bee-eater specializes in catching bees, wasps, and other flying insects. It hawks from low perches and deftly removes stingers by rubbing prey on a branch before swallowing. Typically found along forest edges and wetland margins in central and east Africa, it often nests in burrows in sandy banks. Its cheerful, twittering calls are a familiar sound around rivers and swamps.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile aerial sallies
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small groups, perching conspicuously while scanning for flying insects. Nests in burrows excavated in sandy banks or flat ground, typically in loose colonies or small groups. Both sexes share excavation and incubation duties. Territorial around nest sites but tolerant when foraging in rich areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, twittering trills and soft rolling prrreeet notes, given in short series. Calls are frequent during foraging flights and when perched. Vocalizations carry well over wetland margins and open clearings.
Plumage
Bright green upperparts with a striking blue breast band and warmer buff to rufous underparts. Yellow throat bordered below by a narrow black gorget; blue tones on the breast and rump are conspicuous in good light. Long, slender black bill; tail relatively short without long streamers. Typical bee-eater black eye-stripe contrasts with vivid facial colors.
Diet
Primarily consumes Hymenoptera such as bees and wasps, along with dragonflies, beetles, flies, and other flying insects. Launches from a perch to snatch prey in mid-air, returning to the perch to handle it. Typically removes stingers by rubbing and squeezing the insect before swallowing. Will exploit localized swarms and follows flowering or fruiting plants that attract insects.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, riverbanks, and swamp margins where insect traffic is concentrated. Often hunts above reedbeds, open water edges, and over paths or clearings that provide open flight corridors. Uses low to mid-level perches for repeated sallies.
