Rainbow Bee-eater

The rainbow bee-eater is a slim brightly colored aerial insect hunter that catches stinging insects on the wing and nests in burrows.

• Catches bees, wasps, and dragonflies on the wing
• Beats stinging prey against perches before swallowing
• Nests in tunnels dug into sandy banks or flat ground

Habitat: Open woodland, farmland, riverbanks, grassland, and sandy cuttings suitable for burrows.

Native range: Australia and parts of Indonesia and New Guinea with migratory movement in some populations.

Rainbow Bee-eater usually eats a mixed bird diet shaped by habitat, season, and bill function. Many birds combine animal protein with seeds, fruit, or other plant material.

• Insects and other small invertebrates
• Seeds, grain, fruit, or nectar depending on species
• Occasional small vertebrates, eggs, or scavenged food

Breeding season often increases the need for protein-rich prey even in birds that eat more plant material at other times.

Rarity: Relatively common · 31/100. The species is often common in suitable open habitats with aerial insects and soft nesting banks.

• Stay well clear of nesting banks during breeding season.
• Watch perch lines and open airspace rather than chasing active flight loops.