Kingfishers in photos by Melk Brown

Six years ago, while fishing, Malk Brown repeatedly observed kingfishers. He was quickly fascinated by these beautiful and surprisingly fast birds. To take pictures of birds during the flight, Brown decided to take some photo tours. Now he is an amateur photographer and for the last two years he has been constantly capturing kingfishers. During this time, Malk studied their habits well, which allowed him to take these wonderful pictures on the River Test, Hampshire, England.

The kingfisher has a bright plumage, shiny, bluish-green above, with small light specks on the head and wings, rusty-red below, light stripes on the back of the head and neck. The head is large, the beak is long and straight, the wings and tail are short. (Malc Brown)

The plumage of the kingfisher is dim near, its brightness is achieved due to the refraction of light by the feathers. (Malc Brown)

According to legend, Noah sent a kingfisher for fire. He flew high into the sky, and his wings were colored in the color of the sky. When he saw the fire, he went down and took a brand, which burned his feathers and paws, which have since become a fiery color. (Malc Brown)

The female kingfisher requires fish. (Malc Brown)

Before becoming a couple, the male presents the female with a caught fish. If the female accepts the gift, the pair is created. (Malc Brown)

After that, they usually mate. (Malc Brown)

Birds hunt for fish from the air. (Malc Brown)

Often the kingfisher watches for prey, sitting on a branch above the water. (Malc Brown)

This male managed to catch three fish at once. (Malc Brown)

But, as a rule, everything costs only one. (Malc Brown)

The kingfisher feeds on small fish (bleak, stonefish), less often on aquatic invertebrates, for example, freshwater shrimp. Sometimes it feeds on aquatic insects (dragonfly larvae) and frogs. (Malc Brown)

The consumption rate is 10-12 fish per day in the absence of a family. (Malc Brown)

The kingfisher regurgitates the fish and stuns it if it continues to squirm during ingestion. (Malc Brown)

Cleaning of feathers. (Malc Brown)

The Temperature is -11 C. (Malc Brown)

Kingfishers love solitude, it is rare to see them. (Malc Brown)