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Meropidae
Meropidae (bee-eaters; class Aves, order Coraciiformes) A family of small to medium-sized, brightly coloured birds which have long, slender, decurved bills, long, pointed wings, and syndactylous feet. Many have elongated central tail feathers, others (e.g. Merops species) have square or forked tails; some have long throat feathers. They inhabit forest and open country, feed on insects, particularly bees and wasps, and nest colonially in burrows in a bank. There are three genera, with 24 species, many migratory, found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. (Merops apiaster is the only species that breeds in Europe.)
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Meropidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Meropidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Meropidae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Meropidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Meropidae.html |
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Merops
Merops (bee-eaters) See MEROPIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "Merops." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Merops." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Merops.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Merops." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Merops.html |
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