Bee Eaters
Bee eaters are near passerine birds in the family Meropidae.
Other Names:
Shona Name:
Ndebele Name:
Type:
Aves
Order:
Coraciiformes
Diet:
Size:
Weight:
Protection Status:
Least Concern
General Background:
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae.
Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea.
They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 27 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Zimbabwe.
Bee eater species found in Zimbabwe:
- White-fronted bee-eater
- Little bee-eater
- Swallow-tailed bee-eater
- Boehm’s bee-eater
- Blue-cheeked bee-eater
- Madagascar bee-eater
- European bee-eater
- Southern carmine bee-eater.
Places in which they are found in Zimbabwe
