Coraciiformes Collection (#4)

Birds: Secretary Bird, (Falconiformes, Sagittarius serpentarius) with Northern Carmine Bee-eater (Coraciiformes)
Zoology - Birds - Secretary Bird (Falconiformes, Sagittarius serpentarius) with Northern Carmine Bee-eater (Coraciiformes, Merops nubicus), illustration

Birds, Coraciiformes, Great Hornbill, (Buceros bicornis) feeding, illustration
Zoology - Birds - Coraciiformes - Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) feeding, illustration

Zoology: Birds, European Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), illustration
Zoology - Birds - Coraciiformes - European Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), illustration

Close-up of a blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) flying and eating insects
Zoology: Birds - Coraciiformes - Flying blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) feeding on wasps. Art work

Birds, Coraciiformes, Blue-crowned Motmot, (Momotus momota), illustration
Zoology - Birds - Coraciiformes - Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota), illustration

Southern Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri, standing on rock with beak touching claws, side view

Rear view of Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis, black and white speckled feathers, long thin bill, perching on leafy branch in tree, head and beak in profile

A couple of Kookaburras sitting and facing the same way

A couple of chick Kookaburras standing facing away from each other, one with its beak open

A couple of Kookaburras sitting facing away from each other, one with its beak open

A couple of Kookaburras sit facing away from each other

Two featherless Kookaburra chicks huddle together

Hoopoe with a caterpillar in its beak C015 / 6884
Hoopoe (Upupa epops) with a caterpillar in its beak. This bird is found throughout Europe, Asia, northern and Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It migrates to warmer tropical regions in winter

Hoopoe with a caterpillar in its beak
Hoopoe (Upupa epops) with a caterpillar in its beak. This bird is found throughout Europe, Asia, northern and Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It migrates to warmer tropical regions in winter

Hoopoe with an insect in its beak C015 / 6871
Hoopoe (Upupa epops) with an insect in its beak. This bird is found throughout Europe, Asia, northern and Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It migrates to warmer tropical regions in winter

Dacela novaeguineae, laughing kookaburra
Watercolour 159 by the Port Jackson Painter from the Watling Collection titled Great Brown Kingfisher, Goo-ge-na-gan

Ceryle rudis, pied kingfisher
Plate 32, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Ceyx erithaca, Oriental dwarf kingfisher
Plate 36, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Coracias benghalensis
Plate 70, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Collection of mixed dead birds
Plate 65, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Mergus merganser, goosander, Alcedo atthis, common kingfishe
Plate 34 from John Goulds The Birds of Great Britain, Vol. 5 (1873). Hand coloured lithograph

Coracias garrulus semenowi, European roller
Plate 24 from Louis-Isidore Duperreys Voyage de la Coquille 1822-1825, Zoologie Atlas, (1826). From drawings made during his voyage to Chile, Peru, Polynesia, Indoneasia

Merops apiaster, European bee-eater
Plate 144 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Collection of stuffed birds
Case of stuffed bird specimen on display at the Natural History Museum at Tring

Tanysiptera sylvia, buff-breasted paradise kingfisher
Plate 50 from John Goulds The Birds of New Guinea, Vol. 4 (1875-88). Hand coloured lithograph

Todiramphus leucopygius, ultramarine kingfisher
Plate 55 from John Goulds The Birds of New Guinea, Vol. 4 (1875-88). Hand coloured lithograph

Dacelo tyro, spangled kookaburra
Plate 51 from John Goulds The Birds of Asia, Vol. 1, (1850-83). Hand coloured lithograph

Halcyon leucocephala, grey-headed kingfisher
Ff. 60. Watercolour painting by George Forster annotated Alcedo cancrophaga made during Captain James Cooks second voyage to explore the southern continent (1772-75)

Alcedo atthis bengalensis, common kingfisher
Plate 17, watercolour by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn from her Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous, (1858)

Merops leschenaulti, chestnut-headed bee-eater
Plate 33, watercolour by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn from her Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous, (1858)

Coracias benghalensis, Indian roller
Plate 48, watercolour by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn from her Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous, (1858)

Halcyon smyrnensis, white-throated kingfisher
Plate 53, watercolour by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn from her Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous, (1858)

Todiramphus sanctus, Malurus melanocephala
Drawing No. 43, watercolour by George Raper (1792) from The Raper Collection

Megaceryle alcyon, belted kingfisher
Plate 69, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Todiramphus sanctus, sacred kingfisher
Watercolour 160 by the Port Jackson Painter from the Watling Collection titled Sacred Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis, common kingfisher
Plate 61 from Archibald Thorburns second edtition of British Birds, Vol. 2 (1925)

Roller Tumbler, domestic pigeon
This pigeon is from the collection of domestic pigeons donated to the Natural History Museum by Charles Darwin in 1867. The bird probably came from Darwins own aviaries

Coracias temminckii, purple-winged roller
Plate 56 from John Goulds The Birds of Asia, Vol. 1, (1850-83). Hand coloured lithograph

Coracias garrulus, european roller
The European Roller, Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe

Merops albicollis, white-throated bee-eater
Watercolour by Chloe Elizabeth Talbot Kelly (1960)

Coracina melashistos, dark-collared cuckoo-shrike nests
A painting by Khuleelooddeen, (c. 1830-40)

Alcedo hercules, great blue kingfisher
An illustration by an unknown artist, (c. 1830-40). Part of the Jardine Collection

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Coraciiformes: A Colorful World of Birds From the vibrant Green bee-eater pair perched on a branch, facing opposite directions, to the majestic Common Kingfisher resting in Dorset, UK, November - Coraciiformes never fail to captivate us with their beauty and unique behaviors. In the UK, a Common kingfisher gracefully perches on a No Fishing sign, reminding us of its presence and resilience. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, both young and adult members of the species showcase their striking plumage as they dive into crystal-clear waters. Traveling across continents to Australia, we encounter the iconic laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), whose distinctive call echoes through the vast landscapes. Its relative from Europe is none other than the Alcedo athhis or common kingfisher – an emblematic bird known for its stunning blue feathers contrasting against fiery orange hues. The Little bee-eaters gather side by side on branches along Allahein River in The Gambia during early mornings. Their synchronized presence creates a mesmerizing sight that showcases nature's harmony. On another branch nearby sits a female Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), exuding elegance as she surveys her surroundings. Hungary becomes home to two remarkable Coraciiformes species: European roller (Coracias garrulus) takes flight with grace and agility while Bee-eater male (Merops apiaster) offers a wasp as a nuptial gift – showcasing courtship rituals that are both fascinating and heartwarming. Finally, our journey ends in Sabah, Malaysia where we find ourselves enchanted by the Blue-eared kingfisher (Alcedo meninting). Its iridescent blue feathers shimmer under sunlight like precious gems adorning this avian jewel. Coraciiformes truly paint our world with vivid colors and enchantment wherever they roam.