Dazzling Bee-eaters of Sri Lanka

29 Comments by David Asia

The emerald isle of Sri Lanka is a dream destination for lovers of nature. The vast national parks, where wild Asian Elephants still roam, present some of the world’s best opportunities for viewing wild leopards in their natural habitat. Crocodiles bask on lake shores and bird life is abundant. Not to mention the spectacular marine life around the coast.

During a 9 day trip starting in the capital Colombo, I checked-off many species of birds, mammals and reptiles, from the cool, lush green highland tea plantations of Ella to the baked southern grasslands of Yala. One family of birds was ever-present throughout the trip – the bee-eaters.

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Little Green bee-eater

As a child, watching TV nature documentaries, the bee-eater family is one of a handful of species, along with species such as kingfishers that my mother would swoon over. The European species is known to visit Britain and so is afforded a section in most British bird field guides. In truth, their visits are infrequent and small in numbers, meaning there was little chance of us seeing one. I have though, been fortunate to see them in many different countries whilst on my travels, but usually in pairs on a high telephone cable, tree top or feeding on insects high up in the sky above.

This is where Sri Lanka is different. The Little Green bee-eaters were often found on low perches, as they skimmed across the grasslands and rice paddies.  The sound of their twittering was a constant back-drop on a sunny morning and it was also possible to get quite close, especially if you are in a jeep. All of these photos were taken in or around Yala National Park and always with a 70mm-300mm zoom lens.

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Little Green Bee-eater

There are four species of bee-eater in Sri Lanka:

  • Little Green bee-eater
  • Blue-tailed bee-eater
  • European bee-eater
  • Chestnut-headed bee-eater

I was fortunate enough to have seen them all during my short trip to the island. This post shows photographs of two of these species. By far the most common and most accommodating to the amateur photographer, was the Little Green.

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Little Green Bee-eater

For me, bee-eaters fit nicely into the group of birds that could be classified (perhaps not scientifically) as ‘Outrageously Colourful’ along with parrots, hummingbirds, kingfishers and a few other species. They are a joy to behold, for bird enthusiasts and casual observers alike, we wonder how it is possible for a bird to be created with such dazzling colour.

These magnificent birds, in shimmering shades of green and blue grow up to 18 cm (9 inches), which includes an elongated tail ‘spike’ of around 5 cm (2 inches). The Sri Lankan sub-species have a pale blue throat. The bright ruby eye seems like an extravagant adornment to a bird, already resplendent with colour.

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Blue-tailed Bee-eater

As may be expected from the name, as well as being little and green, these birds feed predominantly on bees, wasps and ants. They capture their prey on the wing, in aerobatic manoeuvres before deftly removing the sting and tenderizing the body with a series of bashes on a suitable post. The insect is then swallowed and any hard parts are regurgitated in pellet form.

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Little Green Bee-eater

This beautiful and once seemingly inaccessible bird is one of several species that led me to create Incidental Naturalist. There has never been an occasion where I have set out to look specifically for bee-eaters, and yet I have seen them in so many countries, incidental to holidays or business trip, in towns and countryside.

 

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David

I am a wildlife blogger and traveler, using images & stories to inspire wild connections.

29 Comments

  1. De bec et de plumes
    De bec et de plumes Reply

    I love bee-eaters. I see every year European bee-eater in South of France. It’s always a show.
    I haven’t ever seen Blue-tailed bee-eater and Chestnut-headed bee-eater, two more reasons to go to Sri Lanka.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Jane Reply

    Brilliant photos, David! They are gorgeous birds. As you probably know we only have one species of bee eater in Australia – rainbow bee-eater (Merops ornatus). Sometimes I see a solitary one in my back yard here but when I lived on a farm in Queensland I would see dozens off them catching bees that came to drink from the dam waters. Truly a special sight.

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    • David Reply

      Thanks Jane! Very kind of you and very encouraging, again! I was also fortunate to see the bee-eaters in Australia. I couldn’t get as close to them; they were a little more shy and often sat on high wires or branches. Isn’t it great to watch them catching insects over the water.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Emily Whim Reply

    Dazzling indeed. I was amazed by the vibrance of the green, not only in the birds’ feathers, but also in the glimpses of landscape behind them. That grass! Do you happen to know if the birds you photographed were male or female? We have some beautiful birds in the Smoky Mountains, my home sweet home, but the females are mostly dull colors while the males are flashy.

    Thanks so much for letting us see the world through your lens!

    Liked by 1 person

    • David Reply

      Thanks for the comment! I love the green of the bird against the grass. The sexes are very similar. One might be a female but I think they are mostly males. The Smokey Mountains must be a wonderful place to live!

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  22. Amrin halaf
    Amrin halaf Reply

    Nice… I have found a little bee eater in my yard.it was hurt by something and also it couldn’t fly so how can I help to it I don’t know what to do!
    Please tell me solution

    Like

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