Rainbow Bee-eater
Scientific Name: Merops ornatus
Size: 21 to 28
What does it look and sound like?
This brilliantly coloured bird is unmistakable in both plumage and voice. Both Rainbow Bee-eater sexes have beautiful blue-green body plumage, a rufous crown, a yellow throat, and conspicuous black lines through the eyes and on the two central tail feathers extend beyond the rest of the tail; these are longer on the male. In flight the wings are bright rufous-orange below. The call is a high-pitched “trrrrp-trrrrp”, mainly in flight.
Where is it found?
The Rainbow Bee-eater is found throughout Australia, migrating north outside of the breeding season.
What are its habitats & habits?
Rainbow Bee-eaters are abundant in open, lightly timbered areas.
As indicated by the common name, the Rainbow Bee-eater feeds on bees, although a variety of insect prey is also taken.
Interesting facts
Bee-eaters remove the sting of their insect prey by carefully squeezing the body and wiping the insect’s abdomen on a branch until the sting is dislodged.
This species features in my book Australia’s Birdwatching Megaspots
