Which colorful European bird migrates to Africa and nests in tunnels in sandy banks?

The European bee-eater migrates to Africa and nests in tunnels in sandy banks.

European bee-eaters breed across southern and central Europe and parts of western Asia. After the breeding season, they migrate south to wintering areas in tropical and southern Africa. Their diet consists mainly of flying insects, especially bees, wasps, dragonflies, and beetles, which they catch from perches or in the air.

The species excavates long nesting tunnels in vertical sandy or earthy banks. Both members of a pair may help dig, and colonies can contain many nesting pairs. Before swallowing a stinging insect, a bee-eater commonly strikes it against a perch to remove the sting and venom sac.

Its bright plumage can lead to confusion with rollers, kingfishers, or other colorful birds, but the combination of a slender downcurved bill, pointed wings, and insect-catching behavior is distinctive. Migration links European nesting colonies with African feeding grounds.