Kingfisher with Unusual (?) Prey

Observed by Simon WalkerSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in Birds on 7th February 2012
(Added to iSpot on 30th May 2012)
Kingfisher, with what looks like a beetle, Little Paxton, 2012-02-07 001
Kingfisher, with what looks like a beetle, Little Paxton, 2012-02-07 001 closeup

I was looking for something on my computer, and I came across this picture from February - I missed it at the time. I'm sorry it's a late post, but I thought it was interesting enough to put up anyway. I'm also sorry about the quality - it was a really dull day, snow and slush all over the place, and a lot of the kingfisher's normal hunting grounds frozen over.

Which brings me to the point: Is this a beetle that it has in its bill? I think it is.

Location: Little Paxton Pits
Identifications
Species interactions

No interactions present.

Other observations of Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Comments

spider

1 June 2012 - 9:08am — FenwickfieldFenwickfield's reputation in BirdsFenwickfield's reputation in BirdsFenwickfield's reputation in BirdsFenwickfield's reputation in Birds

Look's like a fat spider lots of legs,sorry not much help.

A Fat Spider With Lots of Legs?

2 June 2012 - 2:59am — Simon WalkerSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in BirdsSimon Walker's reputation in Birds

Bless you Sheila! You really made me smile with that identification ;-)! ALL spiders have lots of legs! You could be right, but I think there's a beetley (is there such a word?) sort of shape about it.

It's interesting that the bird went for invertebrate prey when there was no chance of fishing. I didn't know they did that. Maybe they aren't quite so vulnerable to poor fishing conditions as I'd thought.

Regards

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