Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Merops philippinus Linnaeus, 1767

Meropidae — Bee-eaters

Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Merops philippinus, breeds across the Oriental Region and Australasia, from India and Sri Lanka through southern China and south-east Asia to the Philippines, Sulawesi, Lombok, Timor, coastal north-east, south and south-east New Guinea, and the New Britain group. Outside the breeding season it reaches the Thai-Malay Peninsula, the Greater Sundas and Timor. It is a bee-eater of open places near water, and it nests in colonies by digging tunnels into mud or sand banks, often in river valleys. The species was described by Linnaeus in 1767.

Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Meropidae — Bee-eaters
Breeding range
Oriental Region, Australasia: India and Sri Lanka to s China, se Asia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Lombok to Timor (Lesser Sundas), coastal ne, s, se New Guinea and New Britain group (se Bismarck Arch.)
Nonbreeding range
to Thai-Malay Pen., Greater Sundas and Timor
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
© Judgefloro · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Tours where you can spot this bird

11 tours in Thailand 7, Indonesia 3, Bangladesh 1

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
5‑day 4‑night Bali Birding Tour
5‑day 4‑night Bali Birding Tour
Indonesia / Bali Group tour 5 days

A five-day circuit through Batukaru, Bali Barat, Bedugul, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu, covering Bali’s major birding habitats....

From USD 999
The 3 Day / 2 Night Bali Birding Tour
The 3 Day / 2 Night Bali Birding Tour
Indonesia / Bali Group tour 3 days

Three days of private birding across Nusa Dua, Batukaru, Bali Barat National Park and the montane forests around Bedugul....

From USD 590
2 Day 1 Night Bali Birding Tour – Tour Details
2 Day 1 Night Bali Birding Tour – Tour Details
Indonesia / Bali Group tour 2 days

A two-day Bali birding route from the cool Bedugul highlands to the lowland forests and coast of Bali Barat National Park....

From USD 395
Khao Sok Bird Watching by Canoeing 3 Days
Khao Sok Bird Watching by Canoeing 3 Days
Thailand / Khao Sok Group tour 3 days

Khao Sok Bird Watching by Canoeing – 3 Days / 2 Nights is a unique wildlife adventure combining birdwatching with serene canoe exploration...

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...

Sri Phang Nga Bird Watching Day Trip
Sri Phang Nga Bird Watching Day Trip
Thailand / Sri Phang Nga Group tour 1 day

Sri Phang-Nga Bird Watching Day Trip is a full-day guided birding experience in one of southern Thailand’s richest rainforest habitats. Ex...

Khao Sok Bird Watching Day Trip
Khao Sok Bird Watching Day Trip
Thailand / Khao Sok Private tour 1 day

Escape into one of Thailand’s most spectacular rainforests on this Khao Sok Bird Watching Day Trip. Just a few hours from Phuket and Khao ...

Khao Nor Chuchi Bird Watching 3 Days Trip
Khao Nor Chuchi Bird Watching 3 Days Trip
Thailand / Khao Nor Chuchi Private tour 3 days

A focused 3-day private birdwatching tour to Khao Nor Chuchi, Thailand’s most important lowland rainforest reserve and the last stronghold...