Lately I’ve been on a roll when it comes to photos of birds being attacked by other birds. Yesterday morning in the mountains the victim was once again a kingfisher but this time the image quality is very good, except for the last shot.
Notes about the following series of images:
- I was close enough to the kingfisher that several of the photos below are full frame (uncropped).
- All photos are presented in the order they were taken.
- Image techs are in the range of 1/4000 – 1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender. Not the best settings for the situation but the photos turned out well anyway.
The action began almost immediately after the male kingfisher landed on his favorite perch (a perch readers are becoming very familiar with). Within seconds an upset Barn Swallow began to repeatedly dive bomb him in an effort to antagonize him to the point that he’d vacate the area. This was his reaction to the incoming swallow. .
In some of my photos during the first dive of the swallow his defensive reaction was even more exaggerated but wouldn’t you know it, I clipped a wing in those shots.
When the swallow passed by very close overhead the kingfisher turned on his perch to watch where the little rascal went. That was a wise move because…
the swallow performed a near loop de loop and came right back at the kingfisher again. Notice his missing tail feather, evidence that this is the same male kingfisher I posted yesterday as he was being attacked by another kingfisher.
By now the kingfisher knew the swallow couldn’t be trusted so once again he turned on his perch to keep an eye on it.
And once again the swallow came at the kingfisher with a vengeance. Here we can see part of the swallow’s right wing at the top edge of the frame. This is the only shot I got that included any part of the swallow during any of the attacks.
Notice the shadow on the out of focus branch beneath the kingfishers right wing. I believe that’s the shadow of the swallow because there’s no shadow there in any of my other photos.
In the next shot in the burst the kingfisher had closed both nictitating membranes in an effort to protect his eyes in the event that the speedy little feathered projectile misjudged its approach and came in too close. I believe he closed his membranes every time the swallow was closest to him because I have several other shots with them closed while the swallow was almost directly overhead.
The kingfisher turned on his perch to watch his back again, for good reason. Here’s the beginning of his reaction to the swallow’s fourth attack.
And this is its conclusion as the swallow passed overhead.
Would the swallow attack a fifth time? Damned right he would.
Here the kingfisher is still turning on his perch to guard against another possible attack from behind, as evidenced by his raised left foot during the turn.
And this is the kingfisher’s defensive posture in reaction to attack #5.
Eventually he decided that discretion is the better part of valor so he got the hell out of Dodge. For this shot I wish I hadn’t been quite so close to the bird so I’d have more room in the frame on the right and the kingfisher would likely have been sharper because I really like that fancy footwork with those stubby little legs.
I know, I know. I’ve been posting a lot of kingfisher photos lately, probably too many. But for me kingfishers are being cooperative right now so I have to strike while the iron is hot.
It won’t last long, after all they’re kingfishers…
Ron
Never can there be too many posts of a Kingfisher 😁 Everything about their body just doesn’t seem like it should work❗️Big beak… little legs… great hairdo ❗️As you said, better get pictures of them while you can 👍🏽
“better get pictures of them while you can”
I’m trying Diana. It may already be over because this morning I was kingfisher skunked.
Poor Kingfisher! Just sitting there minding his own business and SWOOP! These are all marvelous shots. Between them and your description I feel like I’m there. I found myself involuntarily ducking as you described the swallow’s antics. I’m with Laura and EC — I can’t find a favorite shot.
I have no beef with your having several posts of the same species. I’m enthralled by whatever birds cross your path.
Oh, and is he missing a secondary on his left wing or do I not know how to count? 😉
Thank you, Marty. I’m not sure if he’s missing a secondary but it looks like he might be.
Quite an exciting story despite a menace that’s hardly seen. Amazing that you got that eye catch (sixth photo) with the Kingfisher looking almost head on.
Lyle, I was disappointed to not get more of the swallow in at least a few of my shots. That’s one series where I REALLY wish I’d removed my teleconverter!
That particular kingfisher is topping the unpopularity award at the moment.
And yes, as always I am echoing Laura.
At least among swallows he is. Thanks, EC.
Oh MY! OH MY!! I can’t even settle on a favorite for pity’s sake! I start to pick one and then I get a case of the yeah-buts. “Yeah, but what about THAT one? And THAT one?” The spectacularness of each of them pegs the Oh-WOW meter!!
What a BEAUTIFUL morning you’ve brought and these images don’t even have a redtail in them 😉
I’m glad you like them, Laura, sans red-tail or not.
These are wonderful. Mine are not as nice. Too far away for my lens, plus I always had a branch in the way.
Yes, when the kingfishers are in that tree where you were shooting them you have to get lucky to have clear shots. It can happen though. Thanks, April.
I especially like the shot from the back showing all the features of its dorsal plumage, including the missing tail feather. Yesterday I watched a mockingbird attack a Killdeer, which seems a bit unusual. The Killdeer actually chased the mockingbird away. I think the Killdeer was protecting its nesting territory.
Thank you, Kenneth.
Wonderful series, Ron. That Barnie is one bold bird! Never get tired of seeing Kingfishers!
Thank you, Diane.
FUN! I never tire of Kingfishers and certainly have never seen this situation! 🙂 Birds are ALL very territorial right now with nesting and fledglings about. Never occurred to me other birds would harass them…..
Judy, I don’t remember seeing other bird species attacking kingfishers before either.
Never enough kingfisher photos as far as I’m considered! These are great…I can just imagine the ‘fly-overs’! These photos really showcase the feathers…something we normally don’t get to see even in the photos that are included in the ‘bird books’. I appreciate seeing the details!
I’m a detail freak too, Kathy. Thanks.
A tough life being a Kingfisher. Remarkable series Ron. I had no idea Swallows would attack a Kingfisher or anyone else. We have Barn, Violet-green, and Northern Rough-winged and they are everywhere near the lakes, but have never witnessed this behavior. A very educational series like the other recent ones. Thanks for posting.
Everett, before I got there a friend saw a swallow attacking a kingfisher that morning too. Thank you.