Rainbow bee-eater

On Monday 16 March, heavy rainfall impacted Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. It resulted in water over a number of roads and a closure of the park for safety.

The park has reopened to visitors and we’re pleased to advise that the Uluṟu Ring Road and the Muṯitjulu Waterhole access road have reopened.

There is still water over the road in several locations and motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Road closures for Tjukaruru Road (Docker River Road) at the Kata-Tjuṯa Road intersection remain in place. For more information and latest advice visit Road Report NT.

All walking tracks are open however we ask visitors to exercise caution, remain on marked tracks and paths at all times and take care on potentially slippery surfaces.

We thank visitors and tourism operators for their patience, understanding and continued support during this weather event.

One of Uluṟu’s most striking birds, the rainbow bee-eater has a golden crown, green wings and back, an orange-yellow throat, bright orange underwings and a blue lower body.

True to it’s name, the rainbow bee-eater has a real taste for bees and other flying insects. They can spot a potential meal from 50 metres away, catching the insect in mid-flight before returning to their perch to eat. They rub bees and wasps against the perch before eating to remove stingers and venom glands.

Bee-eaters dig burrows in sandy banks to build their nest. Both parents incubate and feed the young, sometimes with the help of other bee-eaters.

Look for this bird wherever there are flowering plants. Good spots include Muṯitjulu Waterhole and the Liru walk after rain.

Scientific name

Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara name