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The rainbow bee-eater is the only species of Meropidae found in Australia and is monotypic. [2] [3] Its closest relative is most likely the olive bee-eater (Merops superciliosus) of southern and eastern Africa, [3] but molecular phylogenetic analysis places the rainbow bee-eater as closest relative with the European bee-eater (M. apiaster). [4]
The bee-eaters have an Old World distribution, occurring from Europe to Australia. The centre of diversity of the family is Africa, although a number of species also occur in Asia. Single species occur in each of Europe, (the European bee-eater), Australia (the rainbow bee-eater) and Madagascar (the olive bee-eater, also
Merops is a large genus of bee-eaters, a group of birds in the family Meropidae, native to Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. The members of this family are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers.
A flock of galahs A cockatiel. Australia and its offshore islands and territories have 898 recorded bird species as of 2014. [1] Of the recorded birds, 165 are considered vagrant or accidental visitors, of the remainder over 45% are classified as Australian endemics: found nowhere else on earth. [1]
ɪ f ɔːr m iː z / are a group of usually colourful birds including the kingfishers, the bee-eaters, the rollers, the motmots, and the todies. They generally have syndactyly, with three forward-pointing toes (and toes 3 & 4 fused at their base), though in many kingfishers one of these is missing.
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds in southern and central Europe , northern and southern Africa, and western Asia. Except for the resident southern African population, the species is strongly migratory , wintering in tropical Africa. [ 1 ]
This part of Australia is generally dry and when flooded Lakes Wyara and Numalla are important habitats for birds, being home to 250,000 birds of 40 species including the rainbow bee-eater, Australasian shoveller, freckled duck, musk duck, black swan, silver gull, Australian pelican, great egret, and glossy ibis.
Calls from white-throated gerygones, spangled drongos and rainbow bee-eaters make a pleasant background sound in the park. The invertebrate fauna is rich, with many species of dragonflies and damselflies being quite obvious in summer.