Rainbow Bee-eater

Rainbow Bee-eater is a bird species in the bee-eater family Meropidae. Its closest relative is most likely the olive bee-eater (Merops superciliosus) of southern and eastern Africa. molecular phylogenetic analysis places the rainbow bee-eater as closest relative with the European bee-eater (M. apiaster). It received its first scientific description by John Latham in 1801. The generic name is Ancient Greek merops which means 'bee-eater' and the specific epithet is Latin ornatus 'ornate, adorned'. (Wikipedia, general species account).

Rainbow Bee-eater is the only species of bee-eater found in Australia and is monotypic, meaning it has no accepted subspecies. Rainbow bee-eaters are a common species and can be found during the summer in forested areas in most of southern Australia, excluding Tasmania. Vagrants have been recorded on Miyako Island, Japan, and Luidao (Green Island) off south-east Taiwan. They may be found in open woodlands, beaches, dunes, cliffs, mangroves, and farmlands, and they often visit parks and private gardens. (Wikipedia, general species account).