The Bee-eater is one of the most colorful and graceful birds found across Asia, Africa, and Europe. As its name suggests, this bird is known for its unique ability to catch and eat bees, wasps, and other flying insects with astonishing precision. In Bangladesh, the Green Bee-eater is especially common, adding bright flashes of color to open fields and riverbanks.
Appearance
Bee-eaters are small to medium-sized birds with slender bodies, long pointed wings, and slightly curved bills. They are famous for their brilliant plumage—a mix of emerald green, turquoise, blue, yellow, and chestnut shades. The Green Bee-eater, in particular, has a slim tail with two long central feathers and dazzling green feathers that shimmer in sunlight.
Habitat
They prefer open areas such as grasslands, riverbanks, and farmlands where insects are abundant. Bee-eaters are often seen perched on wires, branches, or fences, scanning the air for prey.
Behavior
Bee-eaters are highly skilled aerial hunters. They catch flying insects mid-air, returning to a perch to kill and eat them. Before eating a bee or wasp, the bird cleverly removes the sting by hitting the insect against a hard surface.
They are social birds, often living and nesting in colonies. You can see dozens of them nesting in holes dug into sandy riverbanks or embankments.
Diet
Their diet mainly includes bees, wasps, dragonflies, butterflies, and other flying insects. Despite their name, Bee-eaters play a helpful role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations.
Breeding
Bee-eaters dig horizontal tunnels in sandbanks to build nests. Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Cultural Symbolism
Because of their bright colors and synchronized flight, Bee-eaters are often seen as symbols of joy, beauty, and harmony in nature. Birdwatchers and photographers admire them for their elegance and vivid coloration.
Conclusion
The Bee-eater is a perfect blend of beauty and intelligence. Its stunning appearance, clever hunting skills, and cheerful presence make it one of the most admired birds in the natural world—a true jewel of the skies.
