Rainbow Bee-eater

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Rainbow Bee-eater is a slender, brilliantly colored bird measuring 20–28 cm, characterized by its golden-green plumage and long, needle-like tail streamers. Its upperparts transition to a bright blue rump, while a prominent black eye-stripe, underscored by a thin blue line, passes through a vivid red eye. The yellow-orange throat is bordered by a distinct black crescent across the breast. In flight, the undersides of the wings reveal a striking coppery-rufous glow with black trailing edges. Both sexes possess a long, down-curved black bill, though males have significantly longer tail streamers. Juveniles are noticeably duller, lacking the black throat band and streamers. Its presence is often first revealed by a liquid, vibrating "pir-r-r-r"—a high-pitched rolling trill typically given in flight that carries over long distances. When perched, individuals may exchange softer, slower versions of this call. Highly social, these birds are masterful aerial hunters, sallying from exposed perches like power lines or dead branches to snatch bees and wasps mid-air. Before swallowing, they return to the perch to beat the prey and rub it against the wood to remove the stinger. Their flight is graceful and undulating with short glides. They nest in narrow burrows excavated into flat sandy ground or riverbanks. Widespread across mainland Australia but absent from Tasmania, they inhabit open woodlands, riverbanks, and urban parks. They are summer breeding visitors to the south, migrating north in large, noisy flocks to northern Australia and nearby islands for the winter. As the only bee-eater in Australia, this species is unmistakable; no other local bird shares its combination of green plumage, rufous underwings, and elongated central tail feathers.

Description · BirdUp · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Elongated central tail streamers

   Two fine 'wires' extend well past the main tail.

2. 02

   Black crescent gorget on yellow-orange throat

   A bold black band cleanly separates the colorful throat.

3. 03

   Rich rufous-copper underwing with black trailing edge

   Brilliant, glowing flash of color revealed in flight.

4. 04

   Bold black stripe through bright red eye

   Prominent stripe runs from bill base through eye.