Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Meropidae
Bee-eaters are gregarious. They form colonies by nesting in burrows tunneled into the side of sandy banks, such as those that have collapsed on the edges of rivers. They generally produce two to nine white eggs per clutch—depending on species. They are widely distributed and common. As they live in colonies, large numbers of these holes are often seen together, white streaks from their accumulated droppings accentuating the entrances to the nests. Most of the species in the family are monogamous, and have biparental care of the young. There are 26 species worldwide, nine in Southern Africa.
- White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides
- Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
- Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
- White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis accidental
- Böhm's Bee-eater Merops boehmi
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
- Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus accidental
- European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
- Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides
Read more about this topic: List Of Southern African Birds