Fly larvae clean bee-eater's nest

(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) Bird nests are home not only to bird parents and their offspring but also to other inhabitants, such as insect larvae. So far, there has been no research into the possible benefit for birds from this living arrangement. Researchers from Vetmeduni Vienna have now shown that fly larvae in nests of European bee-eaters help clean the nest. The 'waste removal' has a positive effect on offspring development. Published in Journal of Ornithology.