Bee-eater

Nyctyornis
Meropogon
Merops

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers.

This is a group of birds which breeds in open country in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Old World.

Just as the expressive name reveals, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. Before eating its meal, a bee-eater removes the sting by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface.

Bee-eaters are gregarious, nesting colonially in tunnels in sandy banks; the eggs are white. They also feed and roost communally.

The full species list is:

Family: Meropidae

• Red-bearded Bee-eater , Nyctyornis amictus
• Blue-bearded Bee-eater , Nyctyornis athertoni
• Purple-bearded Bee-eater , Meropogon forsteni
• Little Bee-eater, Merops pusillus
• Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Merops persicus
• Little Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis
• White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis
• Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Merops hirundinaeus
• Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Merops phillipinus
• Black Bee-eater , Merops gularis
• Blue-headed Bee-eater , Merops muelleri
• Red-throated Bee-eater , Merops bulocki
• White-fronted Bee-eater , Merops bullockoides
• Blue-breasted Bee-eater , Merops variegatus
• Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater , Merops oreobates
• Black-headed Bee-eater , Merops breweri
• Somali Bee-eater , Merops revoilii
• Boehm's Bee-eater , Merops boehmi
• Blue-throated Bee-eater , Merops viridis
• Madagascar Bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
• Rainbow Bee-eater , Merops ornatus
• European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster
• Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti
• Rosy Bee-eater , Merops malimbicus
• Northern Carmine Bee-eater , Merops nubicus
• Southern Carmine Bee-eater , Merops nubicoides