Belted Kingfisher Catches a Tidepool Sculpin

Photographer Gregg Thompson shares these photos of a Belted Kingfisher at the Edmonds Marina in Washington State. Having caught a tidepool sculpin, the kingfisher shows its nimble moves for getting this meal down the hatch!

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Note the nictitating membrane covering the Belted Kingfisher's eye in this next shot, preventing damage from the thrashing fish:

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Getting the snack into position...

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And....

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... down the hatch!

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Listen to BirdNote shows about Kingfishers:

Burrowing Belted Kingfishers
Three Kingfishers
Biomimicry - Japanese Trains Mimic Kingfisher

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All photos © Gregg Thompson