Blue-bearded Bee-eater

Nyctyornis athertoni (Jardine & Selby, 1828)

Meropidae — Bee-eaters

Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Nyctyornis athertoni, is a bee-eater of the Oriental Region, with a breeding range that is widespread. It occurs across much of the Indian subcontinent and into parts of Southeast Asia, especially in forest clearings and thin to fairly dense forest at middle elevations below 2000 m. It is usually seen alone or in small parties of up to three, and its presence can be easy to overlook. The throat feathers are lengthened and can be raised to give the bird its blue-bearded look, while the tail is square-ended and lacks the usual bee-eater wires.

Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Meropidae — Bee-eaters
Breeding range
Oriental Region: widespread
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
© Drsssuresh1961 · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Tours where you can spot this bird

8 tours in India 4, Thailand 3, Bangladesh 1

Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
India / New Delhi Group tour 17 days

A 17-day northern India expedition combining wetland and Himalayan birding with Ranthambhore and Corbett wildlife safaris, the Chambal River...

From USD 9,565 Next: Jan 21, 2027
Private Sitakunda Birdwatching Walk
Private Sitakunda Birdwatching Walk
Bangladesh / Sitakunda Private tour 6h

Spend six private hours birdwatching on foot near Sitakunda with Eugene Prewitt, exploring local habitats for a wide mix of resident and sea...

From USD 140
Thattekad Kerala Short Birding Tours
Thattekad Kerala Short Birding Tours
India / Kochi Private tour 5 days

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala is such a thriving bird habitat that just a few days of birdwatching here bear spectacular sightings of S...

Western Ghats Endemic Birding Tour
Western Ghats Endemic Birding Tour
India / Bengaluru Private tour 9 days

Kochi - Thattekkad - Munnar - Ooty - Masinagudi - Kochi...

Assam Short Birding Tours
Assam Short Birding Tours
India / Guwahati Private tour 5 days

Dibrugarh – Tinsukia – Maguri Beel - Tinsukia – Digboi - Dehing Patkai - Jeypore Forest Range...

Khao Yai National Park Bird Watching 3 Days Trip
Khao Yai National Park Bird Watching 3 Days Trip
Thailand / Khao Yai Group tour 3 days

Khao Yai Bird Watching – 3 Days / 2 Nights is an in-depth birding adventure through Thailand’s iconic Khao Yai National Park. Over three...

Khao Yai Bird Watching Day Trip
Khao Yai Bird Watching Day Trip
Thailand / Khao Yai Group tour 1 day

Khao Yai Bird Watching Day Trip is a full‑day guided birding adventure in Thailand’s lush Khao Yai National Park, home to diverse forest...

Kaeng Krachan Bird Watching Day Trip
Kaeng Krachan Bird Watching Day Trip
Thailand / Kaeng Krachan Group tour 1 day

Kaeng Krachan Bird Watching Day Trip is a full‑day guided birding adventure into Thailand’s largest national park, famous for its divers...