The Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni is a large species of bee-eater found in South Asia. This species is found in openings in patches of dense forest. It is found in the Malayan region and also extends into the Western Ghats in southwestern India. This species exploits the defensive behavior of Giant honey bee (Apis dorsata) colonies by provoking the mass release of guard bees which it then catches and eats. They can also snatch bees from the outer curtain of the nest and have been observed wiping bees off the curtain with their wings.

Khao Yai National Park,Thailand. July 1994