With one final, decisive strike, the malachite kingfisher smashed his catch of the day against the branch.

Fishing is an art perfected by these tiny, colourful hunters, and today’s catch had been no exception.

Moments earlier, he had waited, barely visible in the shadows of a willow, surveying the water’s edge. Below, a school of small silver fish floated amid leaves and pondweed, unaware of the predator overhead. With a keen eye, the kingfisher bobbed his head, tracking each slow movement, weighing his options. Malachite kingfishers, though small, are masterful fishers—able to spot fish from surprising distances thanks to their sharp vision.

Then, in an instant, he plummeted toward the water. His descent was lightning fast, almost invisible to the eye, as he pierced the surface and emerged with a flickering fish secured in his sharp, red beak. Back on his branch, he gripped the fish, striking it sharply against the wood—a practiced move that ensures the fish is stunned and ready to swallow.

Kingfishers don’t chew; they swallow their meals whole. With a quick adjustment, he aligned the fish headfirst and, in one smooth gulp, sent it down his throat. Satisfied, he settled back into the shadows, his morning work done. For these little hunters, each day brings a delicate balance of patience, precision, and instinct—a remarkable tale of survival along the water’s edge.

The Catch

Malachite kingfishers are skilled hunters, primarily preying on fish but also capturing aquatic insects, freshwater shrimp, and tadpoles. Their preferred catch includes small fish such as minnows and sticklebacks, and they typically hunt from low branches or reeds that overhang slow-moving waters or ponds.

In a fascinating adaptation, kingfishers close their eyes just before hitting the water, diving blind to protect their vision. However, a special feature—the nictitating membrane, a translucent third eyelid—allows them to shield their eyes while keeping them open underwater, tracking prey in that critical final moment. This precise timing is crucial, as their prey has less than a second to react to the lightning-fast dive.

Before making a catch, the kingfisher often bobs its head up and down, gauging the exact position and depth of its target. Once locked on, it drops like a stone, creating a brief, small splash, and typically surfaces immediately with its quarry firmly grasped in its long, pointed bill. Small fish and insects are swallowed whole, while larger catches are beaten against a branch to ensure they’re subdued before being eaten.

A fish caught by the malachite kingfisher is always swallowed headfirst, a technique that prevents the fins from catching in the bird's throat. Efficient and effective hunters, malachite kingfishers maintain a few favoured fishing perches, returning to these spots repeatedly for successful fishing and making them a common sight near quiet waters. Their routine behaviours—diving, catching, and perching—provide a captivating look into the lives of these small but remarkably adapted birds.

Feathered Friends Collection

Welcome to our feathered friends, with their flights of fancy, twitchers' delight, and the lightest touch.

Ever-present in our lives, birds fill the skies, settle in tree branches, and thrive on the ground. Their movements fill us with delight and awe, and their silence is broken by delightful songs or anxious craws. This collection celebrates these moments in time with our feathered friends.

Sony A1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 600mm, S: 1/3200s, A: F7.1, ISO: 2,000.