Bird Guide

Blue-throated Bee-eater vs Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)

Blue-throated Bee-eater

Merops viridis

Small35 gWoodland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Michael MK Khor · CC BY 2.0
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Merops hirundineus)

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

Merops hirundineus

Small22 gShrubland

Like other bee-eaters, this is a richly coloured, slender bird. Its colours and readily visible forked tail make it unmistakable. It is mainly green with a yellow throat, blue gorget and black eye stripe and beak. Swallow-tailed bee-eaters can reach a length of 20–22 cm, including the long forked green or blue feathers. Sexes are alike.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Frank Vassen · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blue-throated Bee-eater and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater.