Best known for its richly colored plumage and graceful aerial acrobatics. Sporting hues of green and blue, this slender-bodied bird measures between 16 to 18 centimeters in length, making it a relatively small but striking member of the bee-eater family. Despite its diminutive size, the Asian green bee-eater possesses remarkable agility and precision in flight, attributes that aid in its pursuit of insect prey.

As its name suggests, the Asian green bee-eater primarily feeds on insects, which it catches on the wing using its sharp bill and swift aerial maneuvers. Its preferred habitats include open grasslands, forests, fields, and semideserts, where it can find an abundance of insect prey. Upon capturing its prey, the bee-eater regurgitates the indigestible parts, such as the hard exoskeletons, in the form of pellets.

One notable behavior observed in the Asian green bee-eater is its fondness for sandbathing. This activity, which involves the bird vigorously flicking sand or dust onto its feathers, serves as a form of grooming and may help remove parasites or excess oils from the plumage. Sand bathing is a common practice among many bird species and is believed to contribute to their overall hygiene and well-being.

Despite its solitary foraging behavior, the Asian green bee-eater is often encountered in small communities or roosting groups, where individuals gather in numbers exceeding two to three hundred. These communal gatherings provide opportunities for social interaction, mating displays, and collective defense against predators.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Afghanistan

2016

Vagrant

Bangladesh

2016

Bhutan

2016

Vagrant

Cambodia

2016

China

2016

Greece

2016

Vagrant

India

2016

Iran

2016

Laos

2016

Myanmar

2016

Nepal

2016

Pakistan

2016

Sri Lanka

2016

Thailand

2016

Vietnam

2016