How do bee-eaters catch insects in flight?

Bee-eaters are specialized aerial feeders that catch insects in flight by making sallies from perches or by spending long periods on the wing, where they glide in circles to scan for prey such as bees and wasps.1

To support this highly active lifestyle, bee-eaters have evolved specific morphological adaptations:

• Wing Shape: They possess the longest and most pointed wings within the order Coraciiformes, which provides the maneuverability and efficiency required for sustained aerial foraging.2
• Tail Structure: Many species feature forked tails, a characteristic associated with superior flight performance.2
• Bill Morphology: Their bills are moderately long, slightly downcurved, and sharply pointed, which is well-suited for seizing and subduing active insect prey.32

While they are primarily aerial hunters, some forest-dwelling species may also secure prey by foraging near flowers without taking flight.1