Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Identification

The blue-tailed bee-eater is a richly coloured, slender bird around 29 cm long, with elongated central tail feathers adding an extra 7 cm. Its predominantly green plumage is distinctive: the face features a narrow blue patch with a black eye stripe, a yellow and brown throat, and a striking blue tail. The beak is black, and the three outer toes are united around their bases. Weighing 29–43 grams, both sexes appear alike to the human eye, though subtle differences exist—males tend to have longer central tail feather extensions and darker chestnut throats with brighter green plumage, while females show brighter blue rumps and yellow chins. Juveniles are drabber and lack the elongated central tail feathers.

Within its range, the only potentially confusable species is the blue-cheeked bee-eater, which favours drier habitats. The blue-tailed differs distinctly in having blue rather than green and black on the rump and tail, bluish rather than green undertail feathers, a much smaller blue cheek patch, and darker, more extensive chestnut on the throat and breast.

Range & Habitat

The blue-tailed bee-eater is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia with a patchy breeding distribution spanning India, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia. In India, they breed in several river valleys including the Godavari, Kaveri, Tunga Badra, and Krishna rivers, as well as in the eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The species is strongly migratory across much of its range, with populations seen seasonally in many areas and known to migrate diurnally en masse at locations such as Tanjung Tuan in West Malaysia and Promsri Hill in southern Thailand. They are winter visitors in parts of Malaysia and peninsular India.

This species is characteristically found in open habitats close to water. They breed colonially in small areas, mostly in river valleys, nesting by tunneling into loamy sand banks. They prefer sandy and sandy clay loams while avoiding heavier clay loams, and favour clear mud banks without vegetation cover. Notably, in Sri Lanka they have been recorded breeding in artificial sand dunes created by dredging of sea sand.

Behaviour & Diet

Like other bee-eaters, the blue-tailed bee-eater predominantly eats flying insects, especially bees (including large Xylocopa species), wasps, and hornets, which are caught in the air during sorties from an open perch. They probably take bees and dragonflies in roughly equal numbers. The species may also forage in flight over estuaries, backwaters, and even over the sea, though not far from the coast. Insects are beaten on the perch to kill them and break the exoskeleton—a habit common throughout the order Coraciiformes. These birds call mainly in flight with a rolling chirping whistling "teerp" sound, and they feed and roost communally.

Breeding occurs from April to May, with birds nesting colonially in closely placed nest holes in vertical mudbanks or gently sloping land. Nest tunnels can run nearly 2 metres deep. About 5 to 7 near-spherical eggs are laid, with both parents incubating and caring for the eggs. Parents actively guard the nest to prevent intraspecific brood parasitism and extra-pair copulation. One or two helpers may join the breeding pair after incubation begins.

Best Time & Places to See It

The blue-tailed bee-eater's strong migratory patterns make seasonal timing crucial for observation. Prime locations for viewing include the river valleys of India where they breed colonially—particularly the Godavari, Kaveri, Tunga Badra, and Krishna river systems during the April to May breeding season. In Sri Lanka, eastern regions offer breeding-season opportunities. For witnessing spectacular diurnal mass migrations, Tanjung Tuan in West Malaysia and Promsri Hill in southern Thailand are renowned hotspots. During non-breeding seasons, they can be found as winter visitors in parts of Malaysia and peninsular India, with overlapping ranges with blue-cheeked bee-eaters in Gujarat and western peninsular India.

Photography Tips

Photographing blue-tailed bee-eaters requires patience and positioning near water and open habitats where they hunt. The species' habit of catching insects from an open perch makes action photography possible—position yourself with clear sight lines to their favourite hunting posts. The striking blue tail and green plumage photograph best in strong, natural light. During breeding season, colonial nesting sites offer opportunities for behavioural shots, though exercise caution to avoid disturbing nesting birds. For migration photography, locations like Tanjung Tuan and Promsri Hill offer chances to capture birds in flight during mass movements. The elongated central tail feathers are a key identifying feature worth emphasizing in images.