About the Blue-throated Bee-eater
The blue-throated bee-eater is a species of bird in the bee-eater family. It is found in much of southeast Asia, in subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. Their diet consists mostly of bees, wasps, and dragonflies. Blue-throated bee-eater is a medium-large species of bee-eater with brightly coloured plumage consisting of a red-brown nape, dark green wings, light green breast, and their signature blue throat. The juvenile plumage has a dark green head and wings and light green breast, only developing their full plumage in adulthood. They have a rich variety of songs and calls, including long calls which allow them to communicate long distances in the forest.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Adult blue-throated bee-eaters are around 21 cm long, excluding the elongated central tail feathers, which are an additional 9 cm, and a weight of around 34–41 grams. Adults have spectacular plumage with a red-brown crown and nape, dark green wings, blue tail, light green breast and belly, and the signature blue throat. Juveniles are mostly green all over their body, developing their full plumage later; they have a dark green head and wings and light green breast, and also lack the elongated central tail feathers of adults. Both adults and juveniles have black eye stripes.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Laos, Macao SAR China, Taiwan.
When to see it
Peak activity in July · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Swallow-tailed Bee-eaterMerops hirundineusLike other bee-eaters, this is a richly coloured, slender bird.
White-throated Bee-eaterMerops albicollisThis species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird.
Arabian Green Bee-eaterMerops cyanophrysIt is 16–18 centimetres (6.3–7.1 in) long excluding the elongated central tail feathers, which are an additional 2 cm (0.8 in) long.
Learn the Blue-throated Bee-eater for real
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