Spectacular Bee-Eaters Grace Israeli Skies During Autumn Migration

Autumn bird migration is in full swing across Israel, with millions of birds passing through the country. Among them are the European Bee-eaters, a vibrant species that spends its summers in Israel before migrating south to Africa for the winter. These birds will return in the spring after their arduous journey north.

The European Bee-eater, known for its striking and unusual colors against the Israeli landscape, is a favorite among nature photographers. Commonly found in northern and central Israel, extending north of Beersheba, they can be spotted throughout the country during migration season. They travel in medium-sized flocks, emitting a distinctive hoarse whistling sound. The species is also common in southern and central Europe and gets its English name from its diet, which primarily consists of bees.

For those interested in observing colorful birds during the winter months, Israel is also home to two other species of bee-eaters. The Little Bee-eater resides in the desert regions of Israel, displaying magnificent blue-green plumage. A rarer species, the Green Bee-eater, similar to the European Bee-eater, only inhabits Israel during the summer. It is found locally, particularly along the Syrian-African Rift.