are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterized by richly colored plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus (A) European bee-eater, Merops apiaster (A) Rollers Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. European roller, Coracias garrulus (A) Woodpeckers Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major Falcons and caracaras Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni (A) Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus Amur falcon, Falco amurensis (A) Merlin (smyril), Falco columbarius Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo (A) Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (A) Old World orioles Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus (A) Shrikes Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio (A) Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A) Great gray shrike, Lanius excubitor (A) Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor (A) Crows, jays, and magpies Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Eurasian magpie, Pica pica (A) Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula Rook,