Birds of Andalucia - BEE-EATER.
23 Species in the World.
This has to be one of my favourite species of European birds,and april is the time of year that they are in abundance,renewing and clearing old burrows for this years new.
The Bee-eater can be found almost anywhere in Spain especially where there are sand banks,in drier areas.
Identification:-
The European Bee-eater is not easily mistaken for any other species;it has brilliant colouration and elongated central tail-feathers.Mostly blue-green below,chestnut and yellow above;long slightly de-curved bill;often in small groups,fairly noisy.Common in Spain,central and southern Europe.
Voice:-
Far-carrying,rather musical `prruppī,almost di-syllabic.
Tip;easily located,once familiar with birds voice.
Habitat:-
Open country with perches such as bushes,telephone-wires,etc.
Nest:-
Colonial;ussually in burrows in sand banks,but also digs down in level ground,no lining,eggs 6-7,white,26 mm.Broods 1.
Food:-
largish insects,e.g.bees,dragonflies,caught on wing.
