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Showing posts from May, 2018

Fledging strategies of Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters

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There is a large colony of nesting Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters in the confines of a large Buddhist temple complex on Penang island. The birds have cleverly adapted to a man-made structure and nest in drainage pipes on extensive retaining walls. There could be well over 100 active nests in this relatively predator-free environment giving it a condominium-like appearance. The pipes are about a metre long and the adult birds dig out a nesting chamber in the dirt at the inner end of the pipes where the eggs are laid and the hatchlings are first fed..  Aerial view of the temple complex (terracotta colour) and the extensive surrounding forest. The retaining walls are indicated by the arrows Part of the retaining walls and drainage holes Choosing the condominium After choosing a location there may be the odd altercation with Crested Mynas .......hunting is ongoing ..........and there are gifts for the partner Up to 5 eggs are laid a