Little did I know that on my last trip up into the Wasatch Mountains, that I would witness a battle between a Belted Kingfisher and my first-of-season Merlin.
Due to my distance from these birds plus heat wave distortion, these images are primarily for my own documentation of this unique experience.
Agitated male Belted Kingfisher over an alpine creek – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I stopped in that spot because I was hungry and wanted to eat my breakfast. Before taking a single bite, I heard the rattling call of a Belted Kingfisher. Quickly, I set my breakfast aside.
I had my backup Nikon D810 with my 70-300mm lens attached nearby, so I picked it up and located the kingfisher through my viewfinder.
The kingfisher was behaving aggressively, so I placed my backup camera on the passenger seat and grabbed my Nikon D500 with my 500mm lens attached, since the kingfisher was quite far away. It was down in a valley near an alpine creek. I’ve seen kingfishers in the area before. It is great habitat for these fish-eating birds.
Creekside Belted Kingfisher and a Merlin – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I scoped the Belted Kingfisher with my longer lens again, I was surprised to see a Merlin perched above the male kingfisher.
Merlins historically do not breed in northern Utah, so typically, I only see them after they migrate here in the fall and throughout the winter into early spring. With climate change, who knows, maybe they will start to breed here.
I was super excited to see the Merlin. Admittedly, I was also a little confused as to why the kingfisher would behave like it was with a bird that kills and eats other birds.
Merlin – Kingfisher Size Difference
Merlins are about 10 inches in length with a 24-inch wingspan. Belted Kingfishers are approximately 13 inches in length and have a 20-inch wingspan.
There isn’t much size difference between the two species. I don’t think the Merlin would have had trouble taking the kingfisher down.
Belted Kingfisher about to dive bomb a Merlin – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As I watched through my camera lens and with my naked eyes, the male kingfisher repeatedly dive bombed and harassed the Merlin sitting on the branches that hung over the creek. There were times I simply watched and forgot to take photos.
This time of the year, the kingfisher wouldn’t be protecting its young. Additionally, Merlins aren’t fish-eating birds, so I doubt the kingfisher was being territorial about food. I didn’t know why the kingfisher was trying to drive the falcon away, except that it might not have felt safe with the Merlin around.
I was fascinated by the kingfisher’s behavior and the Merlin’s response to the kingfisher’s attacks.
Merlin perched above an alpine creek – Nikon D500, f9, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When dive-bombed by the kingfisher, the Merlin merely fluttered its wings and lunged slightly towards the kingfisher without lifting off.
By the way, I believe the Merlin is male due to the bluish-gray on its back, but I also want to state that the falcon might not be fully mature, even though I can clearly see its yellow cere.
After this image was taken, while the kingfisher was on the west side of the creek, the Merlin lifted off and flew to the south side of the creek.
Male Belted Kingfisher bothering a Merlin – Nikon D500, f9, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Belted Kingfisher continued to dive-bomb and harass the Merlin. At times, these two birds were mere feet apart.
While the Merlin was perched on the stump next to the creek, I watched the kingfisher dive-bomb it three separate times. At one point, the kingfisher even landed on the stick you can see between the two birds in this photo. That was awfully close!
I thought the kingfisher was either quite brave or risking its life.
Merlin bathing in an alpine creek – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the kingfisher stopped its aggressive behavior and flew down the creek, the Merlin moved from the stump and approached the water’s edge.
The Merlin took several sips of water from the creek and then proceeded to bathe in the cold water. That was likely all the falcon wanted to do, and the kingfisher didn’t know that.
Merlin drying off after bathing in an aspen forest – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After bathing in the cold creek, the Merlin took off and flew way out towards a stand of leafless aspens to dry. Even with my sharp eyesight, I had trouble seeing the Merlin in the trees.
As for me, I was gobsmacked.
Immensely pleased, I sat for a few moments, just simply amazed by the fascinating interactions and behaviors that had happened between the Belted Kingfisher and the Merlin. I may never see this kind of interaction between these two species again.
Birds are freaking amazing!
Oh, in conclusion, I would say the Merlin won the battle because it stood its ground and did precisely what it wanted to do.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Belted Kingfisher photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Merlin photos plus facts and information about this species.
Really interesting behavior. Thanks.
Wow! Your narrative reads like a film script. I was locked into every word. What a fascinating confrontation. The Merlin’s coolness under fire was amazing. Thanks Mia.
Great pictures and story. All because you stopped for breakfast. This should give you energy to keep rolling out of bed in the wee hours for quite a while. Thanks
Gobsmacked AND flabberghasted. I am so glad that you were able to see (and photograph) this amazing interaction.
That is a fun event to watch, thanks for sharing!
Seeing the interaction would be so special …. but capturing it photographically is just something one might dream about.
Interaction series are the rarest and most difficult to get and to get one between 2 species I really like .. WOW! You really nailed it!!
A great experience to encounter the wonders of nature. Very much enjoyed your photography and narrative.
How awe inspiring! They are both so fierce. Your experience brought to mind the times I have seen Kingfishers and in just the habitat you described. I hadn’t made that connection before, so I am excited to know where to look. Thanks for sharing the experience.
I would be ‘gobsmacked’ too to see the drama unfolding. Wonderful photos.