The Red-throated Bee-eater nests in earthen banks near rivers and catches flying insects in social groups.
Adults have green upperparts, a scarlet throat, a black eye-mask, and pale brown underparts. Juveniles show duller throat red and belly blue; the eastern subspecies has a blue forehead and mask. The nominate subspecies is listed at 22 cm long and 21–28 g.
It is social, often hunting flying insects from small trees and returning to a perch. It digs nest tunnels in sandy banks or small earthen cliffs near streams and remains in its range year-round.
It nests colonially in sandy banks or earthen cliffs and lays 1–5 eggs in February–March. Incubation lasts 19–21 days; chicks remain in the tunnel for about four weeks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.