Peter Graue, "CAPTURED" (ANIMALS 2026)

The Rainbow Bee-Eaters migrate from the northern states of Australia to the southern states in summer to dig their metre deep burrows in the sand and bring up their chicks. The adults catch bees, dragon flies, cicadas moths and butterflies in mid flight and feed the chicks in the burrow. The chicks grow in total darkness in the burrow and when they are ready to fledge, they will move to the entrance of the burrow and see daylight for the first time. Within about 30 seconds they will step out of the burrow and fly for the first time. The fledglings have a very strong instinct for hunting at the time they leave the burrow. After a few weeks, the flock has gain its strength and will return to the northern states for winter.

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