While experimenting with my newly acquired zoom lens, Green Bee-Eaters were the first birds I observed from my balcony. Their bright green feathers were on full display as they played around on a tree just outside my house. One of the birds was eyeing a honey bee, and within no time, the bee-eater consumed it. After that, I saw them many times, yet I was tempted to take a picture every time I saw them.
Honey bees and wasps are their favourite food, but they don’t mind eating other insects like dragonflies, termites, beetles, flies, some butterflies and moths. This beautiful bird gets its name, because of its colour and its preferred food – bees. Its slim black bill is slightly curved, suitable for insectivores.
A fine black line runs in front of, and behind the eye of the Green Bee Eater , it looks like skillfully done eye makeup. The crimson iris and the black bill beautifully contrast with the green-coloured bird.
The green bee-eater can be seen comfortably perched on power lines, and trees in Delhi and other parts of India. They usually sit on high branches from where they can spy on flying insects. From densely populated urban settlements to wetlands, they can be seen everywhere.
Photos and content by Prerna Jain.