The blue-throated bee-eater is a species of bird in the bee-eater family. They are found throughout southeast Asia in subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. Their diet consists mostly of bees, wasps, and dragonflies. Blue-throated bee-eaters are small with colorful plumage consisting of a red nape, dark green wings, light green breast, and their signature blue throat. Juvenile plumage contain dark green head and wings and light green breasts, only developing their full plumage in adulthood. They have a rich variety of songs and calls, including longcalls which allow them to communicate long distances in the forest.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from parts of Indochina and southern China through the Malay Peninsula to the Greater Sundas. Favors mangroves, coastal forests, forest edges, riverbanks, plantations, and open clearings with scattered perches. Common along coasts and lowland wetlands but also uses inland edges of evergreen and secondary forests. Nests in exposed sandy or loamy banks, road cuttings, and quarries near foraging areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Blue-throated bee-eaters excavate nesting burrows in sandy banks or coastal cliffs, often breeding in loose colonies. They catch prey on the wing and deftly remove stingers from bees and wasps by rubbing the insect against a perch. Their seasonal movements track peaks in flying insect abundance across Southeast Asia. They are strikingly colorful and highly vocal, with far-carrying calls used to keep contact while foraging.
Blue-throated Bee-eater from India
Courtship offering of an insect from male to female
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Often perches conspicuously in small groups and forages cooperatively over open areas. Breeds colonially or in loose colonies, with both sexes excavating a burrow tunnel and sharing incubation and chick rearing. Typically monogamous within a season and strongly site-faithful to suitable banks.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A mix of sharp, rolling trills and liquid, piping notes, frequently delivered in series during flight. Long, far-carrying contact calls help individuals keep in touch over forest edges and mangroves.
Plumage
Glossy green upperparts with a bright blue throat, light green to turquoise breast, and rufous-chestnut crown and nape. The wings are dark green with blue highlights, and the tail shows elongated central streamers with bluish tones. A narrow black eye-stripe runs through the eye. Juveniles are duller green overall, lacking the full blue throat and long tail streamers.
Diet
Feeds mainly on flying insects such as bees, wasps, dragonflies, butterflies, and beetles. Prey is spotted from a perch and caught in swift aerial sallies. Stinging insects are subdued by beating and rubbed to remove the sting before swallowing.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, mangroves, riverbanks, and open country with scattered trees or poles for perching. Frequently forages above clearings, water margins, and coastal fringes where insect traffic is high.
