The Rainbow Bee-eater is a stunning bird native to Australia. It features a bright yellow face with a black mask, green belly, and two stylish tail streamers. These birds are a delight to observe as they soar through the air, catching flying insects, and swooping back to their perch to subdue them.
The rainbow bee-eater (Merops ornatus) is not only beautiful but also fascinating. It measures 7 to 8 inches in length, including those elongated tail feathers. The upper back area and wings are green, with the lower back and rump a bright blue. The underside of the wings is red tipped in black, and the tail ranges from black to violet depending on the bird. This bird’s two long tail feathers are longer than their other tail feathers and are in fact longer in females than in males. The crown of the head, along with the stomach and breast, and throat are a pale yellow. The look is finished off by a black bib and a black ᵴtriƥe across the eye.
The female looks similar to the male apart from the two elongated tail feathers, which are longer than the males. Juveniles have a green crown and lack the long tail feathers that adults have.
Did you know that the Rainbow Bee-eater is the only species of Meropidae found in Australia? During summer, these birds can be found in un-forested areas in most of South Australia and Tasmania. During winter, they migrate to Northern Australia, New Guinea, and some of the more southern islands of Indonesia.
Rainbow bee-eaters mate for life, breeding from November through to January in the south. The male will bring his mate insects while she builds a burrow for their nest. Making about three inches a day, after this, the female will then lay 3 to 7 white eggs within, which are incubated for around 24 days. The young are fed by both parents and possibly other birds and fledge after 30 days.
The Rainbow Bee-eater is a common, migratory species with a wide distribution and stable population, which is classified as of least concern on the IUCN Red List. It is always a delight to watch and hear these beautiful birds as they fly and sing. You can check out the video below to witness their beauty and grace!
Photo Courtesy of Laurie Boyle / CC BY-SA 2.0
