Nyctyornis is a genus of bee-eaters in the Meropidae family. There are just two members of this group, which occur in tropical south and southeastern Asia. The genus is basal and forms a sister group to the remaining members of the bee-eater family. Their size and more rounded wings gives Nyctyornis species a heavier flapping flight less graceful than that of the Merops genus Like other bee-eaters, they nest in burrows tunneled into the side of sandy banks, but do not form colonies.