SummaryThe manner in which bee‐eaters cope with the stinging honey‐bees which comprise their principal food was investigated by aviary studies ofMerops bullocki.WorkerApisare de‐venomed by an innate sequence of beating the insect and rubbing its abdomen against the perch. Treatment improves with experience. Drone bees are distinguished by the birds from workers but are not instantly recognised as non‐venomous; they are subjected to low intensity rubbing combined with non‐venomous prey treatment concomitant with their size. Non‐Hymenoptera, including some insects which superficially resemble bees, are recognised as non‐venomous and are not rubbed, but are beaten until immobilized. Bee‐eaters appear to have partial im