Merops ornatus (Rainbow Bee-Eater)

ICUN Status: Least Concern.

Their spectacular colours, distinctive call and acrobatic flight gives them away. They are so visually amazing that they make the cover of (arguably) the best Australian bird field guide.

You can find them all over the mainland except for two relatively small areas in the western deserts. They build dens in sandy environments to lay eggs, and often congregate in social flocks sitting on bare branches, power lines etc swooping on flying insects I can't even see.

They are an amazing, yet common creature. What is even more amazing, and sad, is how few people ever notice them.