bee-eater

bee-eater
/bee"ee'teuhr/, n.
any of several colorful birds of the family Meropidae, of the Old World tropics, that feed on bees and other insects.
[1660-70]

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Any of about 25 species of brightly coloured birds (family Meropidae) that feed on bees, wasps, and other insects.

They are found throughout tropical and subtropical Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia (one species occasionally reaches the British Isles). Bee-eaters range in length from 6 to 14 in. (15–35 cm). Their bill is moderately long, slightly downcurved, and pointed. Their brilliant plumage is usually predominantly green, but many species are partially coloured with red, yellow, blue, or purple.

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster).

S.C. Porter
Bruce Coleman Ltd.

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bird
 any of about 25 species of brightly coloured birds of the family Meropidea (order Coraciiformes). Found throughout tropical and subtropical Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia (one species, Merops apiaster, occasionally reaches the British Isles), bee-eaters range in length from 15 to 35 cm (6 to 14 inches).

 The bee-eater's bill is moderately long, slightly downcurved, and sharply pointed. Brilliant plumage is characteristic; green predominates, but many species are partially coloured with red, yellow, blue, or purple. Many have elongated central tail feathers. Bee-eaters feed on bees, wasps, and other insects.
 

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bee-eater — Bee eaters European Bee eaters, (Merops apiaster) Scientific classification Kingdom: A …   Wikipedia

  • Bee-eater — Bee eat er, n. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A bird of the genus {Merops}, that feeds especially on bees. The European species ({Merops apiaster}) is remarkable for its brilliant colors. (b) An African bird of the genus {Rhinopomastes}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bee eater — n. any of a family (Meropidae) of small, brightly colored, tropical Old World coraciiform birds that feed on bees and other insects * * * …   Universalium

  • bee eater — n. any of a family (Meropidae) of small, brightly colored, tropical Old World coraciiform birds that feed on bees and other insects …   English World dictionary

  • bee-eater — /ˈbi itə/ (say bee eetuh) noun 1. → rainbow bee eater. 2. any of various widely distributed members of the family Meropidae, insectivorous birds with long slender bills and brilliant plumage …  

  • bee-eater — noun /ˈbɪjiːtə/ Any of various brightly coloured, insectivorous, near passerine birds in the family Meropidae, especially the European bee eater, Merops apiaster …   Wiktionary

  • bee-eater — tikrieji bitininkai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Merops angl. bee eater vok. Spint, m rus. щурка, f pranc. guêpier, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – bitininkiniai siauresnis terminas – baltagurklis bitininkas siauresnis… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • bee eater — noun colorful chiefly tropical Old World bird having a strong graceful flight; feeds on especially bees • Hypernyms: ↑coraciiform bird • Member Holonyms: ↑Meropidae, ↑family Meropidae * * * bee eater, any one of a family of insect eating birds,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • bee-eater — bee′ eat er n. orn any of numerous colorful birds of the family Meropidae, inhabiting warm regions, that feed on flying insects • Etymology: 1660–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • bee-eater — noun Date: 1668 any of a family (Meropidae) of brightly colored slender billed insectivorous chiefly tropical Old World birds …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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