As a colonial species the nest holes can be in close proximity to each other. - Graeme Guy's Nature Photography

A photographic essay of a colony of Chestnut-headed bee-eaters.

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They decide whether this is the ideal site for their nest.

Copious amounts of 'tailings' suggest a nice, deep cavity.

The pair of bee-eaters are busy flying in and out of their new nests..

Another large pile of loosened soil indicates another almost complete nest.

Other couples are starting late to get their nest cavity started. Striking a rather comical pose, like a small plane crash, this couple were successful and were the last pair to fledge youngsters.

As a colonial species the nest holes can be in close proximity to each other.

A very typical hole shape....an inverted U with two tracks at the bottom where tiny feet have gouged out the soil. The cavity is at least one to two meters long. One can be seen here http://vodpod.com/watch/11332634-chestnut-headed-bee-eater-nesting-tunnel-with-eggs

There are a number of exploratory holes dug and abandoned if the going gets too tough.

The Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters shared their nesting site with Blue-throated Bee-eaters which arrived at the end of February but were in greater numbers.The two species sometimes interacted, mainly squabbling over space, but sometimes perched together. The Blue-throated Bee-eaters are slightly bigger (exaggerated here because the Chestnut-headed is leaning forward).

As a colonial species the nest holes can be in close proximity to each other.

As a colonial species the nest holes can be in close proximity to each other.

As a colonial species the nest holes can be in close proximity to each other.

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