Q: Everything about you speaks of style, yet your hunting technique is all business. A: Entirely. I am an aerial hunter first, style icon second. Bees, wasps, dragonflies, anything with wings and… questionable judgement. I launch from a branch, catch them mid-air, and return to the very same spot. Precision matters.

Q: And the stings? Our readers are concerned. A: Concern is unnecessary. When dealing with bees or wasps, I simply remove the sting. A firm rub against a branch does the trick. I am refined, not reckless.

Q: You make it sound so effortless? A: It is not effortless. It’s practice that makes it look effortless! You must read the wind, judge distance, and strike at the perfect moment. That is what separates a hobbyist from a professional.

Q: You are known to be quite social. That surprises some people. A: Why is it surprising? Bee-eaters appreciate good company. Community has its advantages. You will often find us in small groups, surveying the landscape together. More eyes, more opportunity. Besides, conversation improves digestion.

Q: Tell us about the tail streamers. Pure decoration? A: Absolutely not. Elegance can still be aerodynamic. Those narrow central feathers are part of the silhouette. Recognition matters in a crowd.

Q: Tell us a bit about the breeding season? A: Ah, that is when we become architects. We dig narrow tunnels into sandy banks or flat ground. Underground nurseries are safe, practical, and discreet. Also, before construction, we examine the area from every possible predator’s angle. One must think like the enemy to outsmart the enemy!

Q: Any final words for our readers? A: Beauty is pleasant but fleeting. Skill is essential!

And with that, Zeno lifts gracefully into the air, emerald against the sun, proving that in Sri Lanka’s wild open spaces, brilliance and precision can coexist perfectly.

A familiar yet dazzling presence in Yala National Park, the Green Bee-eater is often seen around the open grounds near the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala. During an afternoon safari, this vivid little hunter was spotted perched quietly on a slender branch, its bright green plumage glowing against the warm, earthy forest backdrop. This graceful moment was captured by Cloudia, a guest of the camp.