Well, that was unexpected.

[Dale.]

I've had to reshuffle at my kingfisher, obviously, the dynamics have changed with the breeding season now well and truly over and not many sightings at or near the nest site.

I was aware of another nest through the summer too, I wasn't licenced at it but I often passed the area on my way to 'my' nest site and could watch for short periods at a distance with binoculars.. There are no restrictions now as Sched 1 isn't in force until the 1st of February so I am able to explore the 'other' nest site, for now.

I didn't expect this today. I have been watching what I thought was a single kingfisher at this site for a couple of weeks now. Today though, this happened and quite odd behaviour. My assumption is that it could be 2 of last season's fledglings that have just stuck together.

I can't imagine they are adults as they get very territorial over the winter. I know it can happen but my understanding is that it is unlikely.

Anyway, this happened today.

View: https://youtu.be/FE2dslFYVFQ

 

[Nod]

I'm far from an expert in kingfisher behaviour but the mirrored actions look like they could be some sort of courtship display/dance. Happy to be corrected but that would be my guess.

 

[Box Brownie]

Wow!

Thanks for sharing that

As for the behaviour, it reminds of what I have seen (rarely) of birds such the KF where moving the head when looking down into the water allows for some sort of focus differentiation to determine where the prey is. But whatever the reason it is a wonderful observation

PS the brief glimpses of the furthest bird seem to show that they are both males................though just when does the female start to show the red colour on the lower beak area???

 

[Dale.]

I'm far from an expert in kingfisher behaviour but the mirrored actions look like they could be some sort of courtship display/dance. Happy to be corrected but that would be my guess.

Yes, it reminds me of the early stages of courtship too. I am quite sure they are 2 males though and they normally don't pair up until February at the earliest. I have a few stills too that I can zoom in on later to hopefully sex them.

Wow!

Thanks for sharing that

As for the behaviour, it reminds of what I have seen (rarely) of birds such the KF where moving the head when looking down into the water allows for some sort of focus differentiation to determine where the prey is. But whatever the reason it is a wonderful observation

PS the brief glimpses of the furthest bird seem to show that they are both males................though just when does the female start to show the red colour on the lower beak area???

You're right, KFs bob their heads when they are sizing up their prey, they're also figuring out the water depth when they bob. These 2 though were looking off into the distance. Maybe it's some kind of teritorial display but it was very well mannered if it was. I've wintnessed a territory dispute and they can be quite brutal. I heard them making a 'chiriring sound too, unmistakably kingfisher but nothing like I've heard before and I've been tracking KFs now for a long time. It was more of a 'chirr' than the usual 'che che'.

Females show the orange quite early on, to varying extents.

There's an outside chance they could be youngsters from a 3rd brood but from what I could see, I'd say they are adult.

 

[Dale.]

Cropped the still a bit and zoomed in. A record shot for sure. It shows the nearest bird is a male, the furthest one, it's difficult to tell but there could possibly be a hint of orange on the lower beak. From what I can see of the legs, they are orange( juvenile are a very dull grey/orange) , and no discernable white tip to the beak, suggesting adult.

 

[Stuart Philpott]

Buddy the reason for spending hours watching is ya don't learn nuffiin..ya just see more that gives rise to more questions. Which basically humbles any of us as to how little we really know .................Cause there is no one to really categorically answer those Q's

Me ok I'm being an ass it's climate change in it ................. it's why all them cops got together up north to feed the masses with a load of cobblers and do very little bar make them selves look good Maybe that's what's at play here?

Sadly ickle birds an beasties don't take a lot of heed from politicians they react to the signals they get from mum nature, who is preddy much messed up by us

so my guess is expect the unexpected ?..........................

OK...digging deeper and not being quite so thank god it's friday silly ahh man if ya can't laugh one would cry. Damn aren't they so lame

should not pair bonds be strengthened out of season in little moments?

might one expect that?

Might that be what you have caught?

So much to learn bro .......so little time to learn it

lovely stuff buddy little unseen moments that should make a wildlife tog think !!

seeya

stu

 

[Dale.]

Buddy the reason for spending hours watching is ya don't learn nuffiin..ya just see more that gives rise to more questions. Which basically humbles any of us as to how little we really know .................Cause there is no one to really categorically answer those Q's

Me ok I'm being an ass it's climate change in it ................. it's why all them cops got together up north to feed the masses with a load of cobblers and do very little bar make them selves look good Maybe that's what's at play here?

Sadly ickle birds an beasties don't take a lot of heed from politicians they react to the signals they get from mum nature, who is preddy much messed up by us

so my guess is expect the unexpected ?..........................

OK...digging deeper and not being quite so thank god it's friday silly ahh man if ya can't laugh one would cry. Damn aren't they so lame

should not pair bonds be strengthened out of season in little moments?

might one expect that?

Might that be what you have caught?

So much to learn bro .......so little time to learn it

lovely stuff buddy little unseen moments that should make a wildlife tog think !!

seeya

stu

It is a mystery Stu.

That said, it has been known for pairs to stick together through the winter. Usually, the adults send the youngsters on their way, then when breeding is done for the year, one or other adult is sent packing and the other defends the territory until the following year. That's my understanding. Happy to be corrected though.

This pair though, I don't know, I thought they might be late juveniles, they still might be. It doesn't make sense though as if they are juveniles, the adult/s would send them away. It can be brutal. The legs are bright orange and there is no white tip to the beaks, which all indicate adult.

I'll be watching over the next few months, both were there again last Thursday.

This is why I love nature, you just never know what's going to happen next, photographing it is only a part of it.

 

[jerry12953]

Absolutely fascinating!