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 17 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of bee-eaters of any country.
- Black Bee-eater Merops gularis
- Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri
- Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
- White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides
- Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
- Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus
- Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates
- Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
- Black-headed Bee-eater Merops breweri
- White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
- Boehm's Bee-eater Merops boehmi
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
- Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus
- European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
- Rosy Bee-eater Merops malimbicus
- Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus
- Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo