All members of the Meropidae family (Bee-eaters) are considered “Old World” birds, inhabiting the Eastern hemisphere. Rainbow bee-eaters are the only species of bee-eaters that inhabits Australia. Most of the population breeds and inhabits mainland Australia but other populations of rainbow bee-eaters have been recorded in eastern Indonesia, New Guinea and a few in the Solomon Islands. Rainbow bee-eaters also have been recorded to fly as far north as the southern Ryuku islands of Japan, Saipan, Palau, and northern Mariana islands, though only as temporary visitors and not permanent residents to these regions.
Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native ); australian (Native ); oceanic islands (Native )
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Bibliographic Citation: Youmans, R. 2011. "Merops ornatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at
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