Bee-eaters in East Africa: Carmine, Little and Blue-cheeked Species Profile

A bee-eater perched on a thin twig, tail streaming, is one of the most photogenic subjects in African birding. Because they use open perches and return to the same one, they are easy to watch and photograph.

This profile covers the main East African species, hunting technique, nesting colonies and where to find them.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Species to Look For

The carmine bee-eater is the showpiece, with deep carmine body, turquoise head and long tail streamers. The little bee-eater is a small green bird with a yellow throat and dark collar, widespread on savanna and in gardens. The white-fronted bee-eater has a white forehead and a red throat and nests in colonies. The blue-cheeked bee-eater and European bee-eater are migrants that visit in the northern winter. Other species include the cinnamon-chested bee-eater of forest edges and the blue-breasted bee-eater of wooded riverbanks.

How They Hunt

Bee-eaters hunt from a perch, darting out to catch flying insects and returning to the same spot. Bees, wasps, hornets and dragonflies make up much of the diet. Before swallowing a stinging insect, the bird beats it against the branch to rub out the venom and remove the sting. Carmine bee-eaters sometimes ride on the backs of large animals or follow fires and herds to catch insects they flush. Their agility and sharp turns are best seen when a group is hunting over a river.

Nesting Colonies

Bee-eaters dig tunnels into sandy earth banks, often in colonies that can number hundreds of birds. The tunnel ends in an unlined chamber where the female lays her eggs. In some species, young adults help raise the chicks of relatives. Colonies use the same banks year after year, and the sight of birds streaming in and out is a highlight in the dry season. Floods and human disturbance of the banks can destroy a colony.

Threats and Conservation

Most bee-eaters are not globally threatened, but local populations suffer from the loss of nesting banks, pesticide use that kills insects and river changes such as sand mining. Because they eat pollinators and pest insects, they are a useful indicator of healthy farmland and rivers. Protecting riverbanks and limiting disturbance at colonies helps. Keep boats and vehicles at a respectful distance from nests and do not flush birds for a photograph.

Where to See Bee-eaters

The Nile at Murchison Falls is famous for carmine bee-eaters nesting in the river cliffs, and boat trips such as the Nile delta boat trip pass the colonies. The Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth offers little and white-fronted bee-eaters. In Kenya, bee-eaters are common in the Masai Mara and Samburu, and in Tanzania along the Tarangire River.

Photography and Viewing Tips

Boats offer close, eye-level angles of colonies, and a fast shutter helps freeze flight. For perched birds, approach slowly and wait for the bird to return to a favourite branch. Early light brings out the carmine. See safari photography tips and Uganda wildlife photography safaris.

Related Species

Compare with the kingfishers and the lilac-breasted roller, two other colourful perch hunters. See also the Uganda birds guide.

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• Uganda travel guide
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