Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) by Ian
In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. (Isaiah 7:18 ESV)
CLASS – AVES, Order – CORACIIFORMES, Family – Meropidae – Bee-eaters
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Latest I.O.C. Version
Species (27)
Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus)
Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni)
Purple-bearded Bee-eater (Meropogon forsteni)
Black-headed Bee-eater (Merops breweri)
Blue-headed Bee-eater (Merops muelleri)
Blue-moustached Bee-eater (Merops mentalis)
Black Bee-eater (Merops gularis)
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Merops hirundineus)
Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus)
Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus)
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater (Merops oreobates)
Red-throated Bee-eater (Merops bulocki)
White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides)
Somali Bee-eater (Merops revoilii)
White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis)
Böhm’s Bee-eater (Merops boehmi)
Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)
Olive Bee-eater (Merops superciliosus)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
Rosy Bee-eater (Merops malimbicus)
Northern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus)
Southern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicoides)
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Video of Little Bee-eater by Keith Blomerley of a bird sitting on a barb wire.
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On the photos or slides, a “by” indicates one of the photographers or videographers, who have given their permission, with links on our sidebar. Please visit their site to see many more fantastic shots, a “©©” copyright symbol indicates a photo from Creative Commons and ©WikiC is a Creative Commons photo from Wikipedia.
Photographers or Videographers used on this page from our sidebar, Photography, are:
Africaddict
Clement Francis Bird Photography
Ian Montgomery’s Birdway
Keith Blomerley – Videographer
Nick Talbot – Videographer
Nikhil Devasar’s Gallery
Peter Ericsson’s Gallery
Ray’s Wildlife Photography
Back to Family Page – CLICK HERE
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Articles Mentioning Birds From This Family:
- White-fronted Bee-eater – The Life Guards by a j mithra
- White-fronted Bee-eater – The Community Developer
- Bee-eaters Love Company
- Bird of the World – Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater
- Birds Helping Birds by Creation Moments
- Ian’s Bird of the Week – European Bee-eater
Other Websites that have photos of this Family:
- Meropidae – OBI
- Bee-eaters (Meropidae) – IBC
- Bee-eater – Wikipedia
- Meropidae – Le quide ornitho
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The bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa and Asia but others occur in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterized by richly colored plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long down turned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 27 different species of bee-eaters.
As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. While they pursue any type of flying insect, honey bees predominate in their diet. Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps) comprise from 20% to 96% of all insects eaten, with honey bees comprising approximately one-third of the Hymenoptera. (Wikipedia with editing)
Some of the Family – Photos are Alphabetical down the columns:
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 