Bee-eaters are the most frequently observed birds on Giglio, along with the Mediterranean gull, goldfinch and velvet-headed warbler. Like the hoopoe, they are thermophilic and very conspicuous birds due to their colourful plumage. When they fly over, they usually announce themselves with "pjüt-pjüt" calls. Although they appear less colourful in flight, they have a unique undulating flight pattern, whereby their wings are briefly folded. Bee-eaters also often soar, with a wing position somewhat reminiscent of starlings.

As its name suggests, the bee-eater feeds mainly on flying insects such as bees and bumblebees, which it catches in flight. Bee-eaters use caves in sand pits, steep slopes and cliff edges for breeding. When they are not in their breeding colony or on a hunting flight, they often perch on power lines.

Sources:

BAUER, H.-G.; BEZZEL, E.; FIEDLER, W. (2005): The compendium of the birds of Central Europe. 2nd edition. Aula-Verlag, Wiebelsheim.

SVENSSON, L.; GRANT, P. J.; MULLARNEY, K.; ZETTERSTRÖM, D. (2018): The Kosmos bird guide. Franckh-Kosmos-Verlags-GmbH & Co KG, Stuttgart.