Overview
A sudden flash of scarlet above a riverbank or open plain may reveal one of Tanzania’s most striking birds. With vivid carmine plumage, a blue-green head and long tail streamers, the northern carmine bee-eater brings an unmistakable burst of colour to the landscape.
These agile birds hunt almost entirely in flight, launching from exposed perches to catch bees, wasps, grasshoppers, flying ants and other insects in mid-air. Their speed, sharp eyesight and effortless turns make them superb aerial hunters.
Northern carmine bee-eaters are highly social and may gather in large feeding groups or breeding colonies. During the nesting season, they excavate long tunnels into sandy riverbanks, cliffs or exposed soil, creating busy colonies that can contain hundreds of breeding pairs.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a large, slender bee-eater with rich carmine-red plumage, a blue-green head and throat, a black eye-mask and a long, slightly curved bill. Adults also have elongated central tail feathers, while juveniles are duller and lack the full-length streamers.
They often hunt from trees, bushes, fence posts or even the backs of large mammals, repeatedly flying out to catch insects before returning to a perch. In areas with grazing animals, they may follow herds and take advantage of insects disturbed from the grass.
Before swallowing a bee or wasp, a carmine bee-eater may repeatedly strike or rub it against a branch. This helps remove the sting and venom sac before the insect is eaten.
Interesting facts
They remove the stings from bees and wasps. The insect is repeatedly struck or rubbed against a hard surface before being swallowed.
They breed in enormous colonies. Hundreds of pairs may excavate nesting tunnels close together in a single sandy bank.
Their aerial displays are spectacular. Fast swoops, sudden turns and gliding flights feature in courtship and social interactions.