Bird
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Merops philippinusThe Blue-tailed Bee-eater is a slender green bird with a black eye stripe, chestnut throat, pointed bill, and blue tail. From wires or bare branches it launches into graceful aerial pursuits of bees, dragonflies, and other insects.
Aerial InsectivoreRiverbank NesterColorful Bird
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBees, Dragonflies, Beetles
Predators
- Falcons
- Snakes
- Monitor lizards
ThreatsLoss of nesting banks, pesticide-driven insect decline, colony disturbance, and wetland conversion
HabitatsOpen country near water, river valleys, wetlands, farmland, coastal flats, and mangroves
Life spanLikely several years; detailed wild longevity records are limited
Classification
- FamilyMeropidae
- SpeciesMerops philippinus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Stay away from nesting tunnels in exposed sandy or loamy banks.
Responsible observation
- Look: Check exposed perches for a green bird with a long blue tail.
- Watch: Follow short flights out and back while it catches insects.
- Distance: Keep clear of colony banks and their approach routes.
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