Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernRainbow Bee-eater at a glance
The Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) is a bird in the family Meropidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku. Diet: flying insects, especially bees and wasps; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Merops ornatus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Kirik-kirik australia |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku |
| Taxonomic group | Coraciiformes |
| GBIF records | 3,896 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — flying insects, especially bees and wasps · BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (12)
What is the Rainbow Bee-eater?
Rainbow Bee-eater refers to Merops ornatus, in the genus Merops, family Meropidae, and order Coraciiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Rainbow Bee-eater?
The rainbow bee-eater catches flying insects and is well known from Australia and nearby regions; Indonesian records need locality and movement context.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Rainbow Bee-eater?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 3,896 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Rainbow Bee-eater?
Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Rainbow Bee-eater with Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Cerulean Kingfisher, Dollarbird. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Rainbow Bee-eater
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Genus | Merops |
| Species | Merops ornatus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Rainbow Bee-eater
What is the scientific name of the Rainbow Bee-eater?
The scientific name of the Rainbow Bee-eater is Merops ornatus, in the family Meropidae and the order Coraciiformes. In Indonesian it is called Kirik-kirik australia.
What kind of animal is the Rainbow Bee-eater?
The Rainbow Bee-eater is a bird in the family Meropidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a flying insects, especially bees and wasps.
Where does the Rainbow Bee-eater live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Rainbow Bee-eater summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Rainbow Bee-eater eat?
The Rainbow Bee-eater is a flying insects, especially bees and wasps. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards.
How does the Rainbow Bee-eater reproduce?
The Rainbow Bee-eater reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the Rainbow Bee-eater nocturnal?
The cited source records the Rainbow Bee-eater as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Rainbow Bee-eater?
Scientific classification of the Rainbow Bee-eater: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Coraciiformes, family Meropidae, genus Merops, species Merops ornatus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Rainbow Bee-eater endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Rainbow Bee-eater is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Rainbow Bee-eater is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/merops-ornatus/