King of the fishers: The tiny bird landed a catch of six different fish in just two hours. She must eat her own bodyweight in fish each day to survive







Catch of the day: How a tiny kingfisher caught six different types of fish in two hours

30th December 2008

Kingfishers need to eat their own bodyweight each day to survive – so it probably makes sense not to be too fussy.

Certainly this little female seemed to be enjoying the variety of seafood offered by Cleddau estuary in Pembrokeshire. In only two hours she managed to catch and devour six types of prey – a flatfish, shrimp, shellfish, goby, mullet and a tiny sea bass.

Amateur photographer Paul Richards, 55, said: 'It was just fantastic to see,' he said. 'It shows that birds are like us - they like a bit of variety at meal times.

'I've seen her fish there three times a day - and she will catch four or five at each session.

'That's quite a haul for such a little bird.' 

She vanishes each spring to breed - but then returns to her stretch of the river for the rich pickings.

Amateur photographer Paul Richards was amazed as the kingfisher kept diving and surfacing with her varied catch

And the bird has seen off two other kingfishers who have tried to profit from her prize patch.

Retired wildlife officer Mr Richards said: 'She is one of nature's most beautiful creatures but she's also a survivor.

'The kingfisher knows she is sitting on a stretch of water that can serve up the catch of the day.' 

                     

Survivor: The tiny kingfisher returns to the same spot each year, having seen off competition from two other birds

Mr Richards spends up to 30 hours a week in his hide on the bank of the river - just a few feet from the branches where the kingfisher perches with her dinner.

He said: 'She's got to know me now and has become used to the sound of my cameras clicking away.'






Article: HERE