As their name suggests, they eat mostly bees, especially honey bees, as well as wasps and ants, and many other flying insects, generally caught in mid flight. It's tricky eating stinging insects, but these birds have developed a foolproof technique of catching their prey, knocking and rubbing it against a branch or fence post to remove the stinger while at the same time squeezing it with their curved, sharp bill to remove the venom.
Bee-eaters live in colonies, burrowing into the sides of river banks or nesting on cliffs. Each colony is composed of two or three clans of male and female pairs, their offspring and 'helpers'. It is not unusual for females to try to lay eggs in their neighbor's nest and each clan defends their individual territory, including from the clan that lives right next door.
Take a look at some of these beautiful birds. Note the dark eye stripe making them appear to be wearing a mask.
Little Bee-eater Source: Wikipedia
Blue-cheeked bee-eater Source: Wikipedia
White-fronted Bee-eater Source: Wikipedia
Rainbow Bee-eaters Source: Wikipedia
European Bee-eater Source: Wikipedia
Northern Carmine Bee-eater Source: Wikipedia
You can click on the Wikipedia links under each picture to learn more. These birds are gorgeous as adults, but check out the babies here. Here's a video - and another. Enjoy.
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