How to Identify Meropidae

Meropidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Coraciiformes, class Aves. The family contains 26 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.

Representative Meropidae Species

How to identify Merops hirundineus A.A.H.Lichtenstein, 1793

Merops hirundineus A.A.H.Lichtenstein, 1793

Merops hirundineus A.A.H.Lichtenstein, 1793

Merops hirundineus, the swallow-tailed bee-eater, is a coloured sub-Saharan Afri…

How to identify Merops boehmi Reichenow, 1882

Merops boehmi Reichenow, 1882

Merops boehmi Reichenow, 1882

Böhm's bee-eater (Merops boehmi) is a Meropidae bird found in several southern A…

How to identify Merops lafresnayii Guérin-Méneville, 1843

Merops lafresnayii Guérin-Méneville, 1843

Merops lafresnayii Guérin-Méneville, 1843

This is a description of the typical plumage and feather patterning of the Ethio…

How to identify Merops albicollis Vieillot, 1817

Merops albicollis Vieillot, 1817

Merops albicollis Vieillot, 1817

Merops albicollis (white-throated bee-eater) is a slender, richly coloured bird …

How to identify Merops leschenaulti Vieillot, 1817

Merops leschenaulti Vieillot, 1817

Merops leschenaulti Vieillot, 1817

Merops leschenaulti, the chestnut-headed bee-eater, is an insect-eating bird tha…

How to identify Merops pusillus P.L.S.Müller, 1776

Merops pusillus P.L.S.Müller, 1776

Merops pusillus P.L.S.Müller, 1776

Merops pusillus, the little bee-eater, is the smallest African bee-eater, a brig…

How to identify Merops nubicus J.F.Gmelin, 1788

Merops nubicus J.F.Gmelin, 1788

Merops nubicus J.F.Gmelin, 1788

Merops nubicus J.F.Gmelin, 1788, or northern carmine bee-eater, is a slender ric…

How to identify Merops variegatus Vieillot, 1817

Merops variegatus Vieillot, 1817

Merops variegatus Vieillot, 1817

Merops variegatus, the blue-breasted bee-eater, is a central African bird with b…

How to identify Merops orientalis Latham, 1801

Merops orientalis Latham, 1801

Merops orientalis Latham, 1801

Merops orientalis, the green bee-eater, is a colourful insectivorous bird found …

How to identify Nyctyornis athertoni (Jardine & Selby, 1828)

Nyctyornis athertoni (Jardine & Selby, 1828)

Nyctyornis athertoni (Jardine & Selby, 1828)

Nyctyornis athertoni, the blue-bearded bee-eater, is the largest bee-eater speci…

How to identify Merops bullockoides A.Smith, 1834

Merops bullockoides A.Smith, 1834

Merops bullockoides A.Smith, 1834

White-fronted bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) is a coloured African bee-eater wi…

How to identify Merops superciliosus Linnaeus, 1766

Merops superciliosus Linnaeus, 1766

Merops superciliosus Linnaeus, 1766

Merops superciliosus, the olive bee-eater, is a partially migratory bird found a…

Browse all 26 Meropidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Meropidae?

Meropidae animals belong to the Coraciiformes order in the Animalia kingdom. Its distinct colouration and clearly visible forked tail make it easily identifiable. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Meropidae?

Meropidae is classified in the order Coraciiformes, class Aves, phylum Chordata. Further down, there is a gorget made of a short, distinct black band followed by an ill-defined yellow band.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

Start Exploring Nature Today

Download iNature for free. 10 identifications on us. No account needed. No credit card required.

Download Free on App Store