Unacceptable Bee-Eater Behaviour

White Fronted Bee-Eaters are reputed to have the most complex family based social system in the birding world.  Having watched these birds for hours on end in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland, I am inclined to agree.

White Fronted Bee-Eaters live in large colonies where closely related birds help each other out.  A breeding pair will accept help from non-breeding birds in the form of digging the nesting chamber, feeding the female whilst she is sitting on her eggs, incubating the eggs themselves and even assisting in the upbringing of the fledglings.  Breeding pairs will accept the help of non-breeding birds, but only those which are most closely genetically related, thus building on family ties and ensuring the genetic continuation.  Rather dedicated family behaviour if you ask me and puts us humans to shame.

However, on the down side, non-breeding males will ambush breeding females and force them to the ground and rape them. The egg laying females may then create eggs related to the rapist and not the adult male that is caring for them.

Rather unacceptable behaviour really.