Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater has two subspecies. The nominal one shown here breeds across near and Central Asia, from Turkey to Kazakhstan and India, and winters in Southern Africa.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
The other subspecies breeds in North Africa and winters in West Africa. The photos on this pages were taken in Kazakhstan by Alexandra Makhnina.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Related to Kingfishers, Bee-eaters catch bees (mainly) and other flying insects in flight.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
The present! Courtship to show that he will provide when she is nesting and for the young.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Synchronised. Male and female have similar plumage with pale blue face and yellow and brown chin. Juveniles lack the long central tail feather of the adults.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
They prefer semi-desert habitat and nest in holes in sandy banks, usually in colonies.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater