bee-eater

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

European bee-eaters' journey to parenthood

Courtship rituals of European bee-eaters and rollers

Read Next

Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) photographed in the Midwest in 2017. endangered species insect pollination

What Would Happen If All the Bees Died?

Common, or southern, cassowary (Casuarius casuarius).

8 Birds That Can’t Fly

Black-headed gulls perching on a roof with bird droppings, often seen in flocks around London, England, in winter time. The "black head" develops during the breeding season. (black headed, birds, guano, bird poop)

Do Birds Pee?

Spider monkey swinging in a tree. (primate, jungle animal)

Why Do Animals Have Tails?

animal. Amphibian. Frog. Anura. Ranidae. Frog in grass.

Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World

Discover

VAN, TURKEY - OCTOBER 25: A building and car ruined during the earthquake of Van-Ercis on October 25, 2011 in Van, Turkey. It is 604 killed and 4152 injured in Van-Ercis Earthquake.

What Is an Aftershock?

In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.

6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters

Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere

Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?

Adolf Hitler (Nazi, nazism, German leader).

9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler

9 of the World’s Deadliest Spiders

Mona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-06; in the Louvre, Paris, France. 77 x 53 cm.

Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?

Two chicks near an egg with a white background (poultry, chick, chickens, birds).

What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter?

Animals & Nature

bee-eater

bird

Also known as: Meropidae

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Bee-eater

See all media

Category: Animals & Nature

Related Topics:: coraciiform; European bee-eater; little bee-eater

See all related content →

bee-eater, any of about 25 species of brightly coloured birds of the family Meropidea (order Coraciiformes). Found throughout tropical and subtropical Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia (one species, Merops apiaster, occasionally reaches the British Isles), bee-eaters range in length from 15 to 35 cm (6 to 14 inches).

The bee-eater’s bill is moderately long, slightly downcurved, and sharply pointed. Brilliant plumage is characteristic; green predominates, but many species are partially coloured with red, yellow, blue, or purple. Many have elongated central tail feathers. Bee-eaters feed on bees, wasps, and other insects.

turkey vulture. vulture. Close-up of a head and beak of a Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).

Britannica Quiz

A Little Bird Told Me

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.