A few days ago, I posted my first image of a female Belted Kingfisher after trying to get a good shot of one for several years ( see http://www.pbase.com/image/117321181). Well, about 10 days after that first image was taken, I was at the right place, at the right time again for an other opportunity to get some more shots of a female Belted Kingfisher. This could be the same one as the previous: however, I encountered it at the third of three ponds.

Presently, I was located at a fairly concealed spot, when first a Merlin arrived, but I only manage some distant shots. Then, the Kingfisher flew in; again, quite close to where I was positioned. I made the rookie mistake of moving a bit too quick to get my camera turned. The result being that the Kingfisher moved to a farther perch with less favourable light, but it stayed in the area for about 20 minutes. I watched it catch three minnows and one Crayfish during this 20 minutes. I also observed it spitting up a large pellet and relieving itself from the other end.

After diving down and scooping up a minnow, it would return to the same perch (or to a new one). It would then toss the minnow into the air and catch it so that it aligned with its beak. It then swallowed it whole. The Crayfish seemed to give it some trouble. It seemed to have difficulty swallowing it even after banging it against a branch, presumably to kill it.

Presently: 4 images of the Kingfisher tossing, catching and downing a minnow.

Top image: The kingfisher returns with its catch to its perch.


The minnow is tossed up to align it with the Kingfisher's beak/throat.


Almost aligned.


Perfectly aligned to go right down the hatch.