Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

Identification

The Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is unmistakable among African birds, combining vivid plumage with an elegant forked tail. This slender, richly coloured species measures 20–22 cm in length, with the long forked tail feathers—which can be green or blue—accounting for a significant portion of that measurement. The bird's striking appearance includes predominantly green upperparts contrasting with a bright yellow throat, a blue gorget, a distinctive black eye stripe, and a black beak. Males and females are alike in appearance, making field identification straightforward once you've seen one.

Range & Habitat

The Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it breeds in savannah woodlands across the region. Unlike many of its bee-eater relatives that favour more open country, this species shows a preference for somewhat more wooded habitats. It is partially migratory, moving in response to rainfall patterns, making its presence in any given location seasonally variable.

Behaviour & Diet

True to its name, the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater feeds predominantly on insects caught in flight, with a particular fondness for bees, wasps, and hornets. Most notably, it shows a marked preference for honeybees. The bird employs a classic bee-eater hunting strategy, launching aerial sorties from an open perch to snatch prey from the air with remarkable agility.

Breeding birds nest as pairs or in very small colonies, excavating relatively long tunnels in sandy banks or similar flat ground where they lay clutches of 2 to 4 spherical white eggs. Despite their solitary or small-group nesting habits, these bee-eaters are gregarious birds that feed and roost communally. The species is notably approachable and tolerant of human observers, making encounters with this attractive bird considerably rewarding for birdwatchers.

Best Time & Places to See It

Timing your search for the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater depends on the local rainfall patterns, as the species is partially migratory and moves in response to seasonal precipitation. Savannah woodland habitats across sub-Saharan Africa offer the best opportunities for locating this species. Look for it during the breeding season when birds are most active and visible, and concentrate your efforts in more wooded savannah rather than the open grasslands preferred by other bee-eater species.

Photography Tips

The Swallow-tailed Bee-eater's vivid colours—vibrant greens, bright yellows, and blues—make it a rewarding photographic subject, though capturing its aerial hunting behaviour requires patience and quick reflexes. Since the bird is readily approached, you may be able to photograph it from closer range than many other bee-eater species. Focus on positioning yourself near known perches where the bird launches its hunting sorties, and use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action as it catches insects in flight. The forked tail is a key identifying feature, so aim to capture it in profile or slightly angled views where this elegant characteristic is most apparent.