The Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) is widespread in Australia, except in desert areas. They eat insects, mainly catching bees and wasps, as well as dragonflies, beetles, butterflies and moths. They catch flying insects on the wing and carry them back to a perch and beating them on the wood before swallowing them. Bees and wasps are rubbed against the perch to remove the stings and venom glands.