Common Name
Rainbow Bee-eater
Stronghold population
False
Regionally significant/rationale
True
Restricted distribution/rationale
False
Historical abundance
Insufficient data
Overall distribution
Widespread throughout most of Australia.
Local distribution
Common and widespread in lightly timbered areas. Migrates north south but exact movements not clearly understood
Known location
Bethania, Tallebudgera, Jacobs Well, Coomera, Helensvale, Hinze Dam, Coombabah, Bundall, Merrimac, A
Other locality
Common and widespread in all open habitats of the Gold Coast
General ecology
Open forest, woodland, rainforest, riverbanks, farmland, suburbia
Habitat comment
Sandy riverbanks in which to nest
Threats
Unknown, though the use of agricultural insecticides may have a detrimental effect on the abundance of insects in certain areas.
Management
Where ever possible maintain the integrity of river banks where this species chooses to nest.
Migration notes
Migrates northwards in winter
Diet
Bees, wasps, drangonflies and other insect on the wing
Breeding season
Ocober to February
Active season
Summer occasionally winter
Social group
Pairs, parties and loose flocks.
Behaviour
Perches on dead branches, fences commonly seen on power lines; dashes into the air after prey. Flight undulating, soaring, on translucent orange, black-edged wings.
Biology
Identification: Length 23 cm. Blue and green with orange patch on back of head; yellow throat edged black; and narrow black band through eye. Black curved bill. Tail has two fine, wire-like projections from middle.
Citations
Pizzey & Knight 1997, Reader's Digest 1988, Stanger et.al. 1998.
