The family Meropidae, belonging to the order Coraciiformes, comprises the bee-eaters, a group of colorful, slender-bodied birds found mainly in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe and Australia. They are easily recognized by their vibrant plumage, elongated central tail feathers, and long, slightly curved bills adapted for catching insects, particularly bees and wasps, in midair. Bee-eaters are highly social, often nesting in colonies and exhibiting cooperative behaviors such as communal roosting and group hunting. They typically nest in burrows dug into sandy banks or flat ground, laying small clutches of eggs. With their striking appearance, aerial agility, and ecological role as insect predators, Meropidae are both visually captivating and important for controlling insect populations in their habitats.