Territorial Fight or Mating Ritual?

[Dinusaur]

The other day I watched a female Belted Kingfisher repeatedly attacking a male that perched on a tree branch. The male would spread its wings as soon as it saw the female coming. It didn't fly away initially; however, as the female attacked, pulling its crown feathers, the male took flight. This happened a several times, sometimes reversing the role of the attacker. It was happening so fast that I thought may be it was all a part of their mating ritual. However, the viciousness of the attack, and constant in flight chase with chatter with no visible attempt to mate made me think otherwise. May be both wanted to put their claim on a prime spot on the river bank for nesting site. Anyway, here are some sequence of shots from one such attack.

[Ally]

Those are some Marvellous shots of the slippery Kingfishers! I wish I could be there, as many other splendid occasions you photographed wild life.

[Shortsighted]

Like human adolescents, these kingfishers might actually like each other. Kids punch and trip each other when they are interested and kingfisher may equally rough-house when smitten. Just a thought I thought that I would run with because simply having a though is novel and inviting.

[Charline]

Wow, what fantastic captures!


I have yet to capture my first sharp kingfisher shot, sigh....