“The videos of the Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) in action have been slowed by 4 times. Video captured at 100 frames per second, played back at 25 frames per second.
“The first video shows it actually getting a fish albeit in shallow water.
“I am impressed that kingfishers can hunt despite such shallow water. They are able to adjust their approach speed based on the depth of the water.
“Here in the 1st video, approach speed was slower due to the shallow water. The depth was around 2 to 3 cm deep I think.
“In comparison, the 2nd video shows the kingfisher diving in deeper water. The approach speed was noticeably faster in this video. Here, it had gotten a fish as well.
“Not every dive is successful. In the 3rd video of the dive, it had gotten nothing but a leaf for which it discarded mid-flight.
“Also, I have to thank my fellow birders today for being so obliging. I had requested that they avoid going too close to the bird so that the kingfisher can dive for fish undisturbed while I took videos of them diving.
“They kindly agreed to my request and kept their distance even though they could have easily gotten closer and gotten their full frame shots.
“For those present at Kranji Marshes today between 10 to 11 am, many thanks for being kind and obliging so that I could get the shot I wanted. All in good spirit :)”
Jia-Wei Woo
Singapore
19th August 2018
This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behaviour through photography and videography to a wider audience.
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