The Rainbow Bee-Eater would have to be one of Australia’s most spectacular birds – striking colours, elegant lines, a curved black bill, and flowing tail-streamers combine to make the Rainbow Bee-Eater a truly beautiful bird.
A full-colour spectrum from red through orange, yellow, green, blue and even a touch of violet on their tail indicates the origin of the name: rainbow.
Found throughout mainland Australia, they are widespread, except in desert areas. Southern populations move north over winter, often in huge flocks of up to 500 birds. Northern populations are present year-round. Habitat is mostly open forests, woodlands, shrublands and cleared areas such as farmlands, usually near water. They avoid heavier forests that would hinder their aerial pursuits.
Feeding on insects, they mainly catch bees and wasps but will also seek out dragonflies, beetles, butterflies and moths.
They can often be seen perching on fence posts or overhead wires.
When an insect flies past, they launch into flight, rapidly twisting and turning to catch their kill. Food is then taken back to the perch to be consumed. Cleverly, bees and wasps are rubbed against the perch to remove stings and venom glands.
It is thought Rainbow Bee-Eaters are immune to the venom in their prey, as they can consume up to 300 wasps or bees daily, which may be a precaution. Other prey is usually beaten against the perch before being eaten.
Southern populations return to their summer breeding areas after spending winter in the north and nest in loose colonies of up to 50 pairs.
Pairs will select a suitable nesting site in a sandy cliff face, roadside cutting, quarry or eroded riverbank, where the female will dig a long tunnel (up to a metre) leading to a nesting chamber, often lined with grasses or feathers. With a clutch of three to eight eggs, both parents incubate eggs and feed the young, sometimes with the assistance of other (mostly male) helpers.
Research shows a marked decline for the Rainbow Bee-eater in the East Coast region, where reporting rates for this species have dropped by more than 50 per cent since 2001.
Human activities can disrupt their nests, sometimes built-in active mines or quarries.
Introduced predators like foxes or wild dogs can dig down into the nests and eat the young – take care around sandy riverbanks in their breeding season, and don’t let kids or dogs investigate holes.
BirdLife East Gippsland meets weekly for Monday morning outings.
New members are always welcome.
Check BirdLife East Gippsland’s Facebook and Birdlife Australia events pages for more information.
