Many species have long tails, crests, and large bills. All nest in cavities or crevices. Most species in this order occur in the tropics. Members of the kingfisher family are found on every continent but Antarctica, todies and motmots are found only in the New World, and the other families occur only in the Old World. Bee-eaters catch prey in the air, while some kingfishers hunt in the water.
Most species eat animals, including small mammals, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
However, some eat fruits and berries. Kingfishers, todies, motmots, and bee-eaters usually excavate their own burrows, in sandy banks, rotten trees, or insect nests. The eggs are white or slightly tinted. The young hatch blind, helpless, and naked, except in hoopoes. Most members of the order Coraciiformes are somewhat noisy.