Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Meropidae
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 colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Sierra Leone.
- Black Bee-eater Merops gularis
- Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri
- Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
- Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
- Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
- White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
- European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
- Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Sierra Leone