BBC Wildlife 43KINGFISHERS
Robert gleefully
watched the progress
of the pink, alien-like
hatchlings inside the
nest chamber – from
when the chicks first
started to develop
silvery pin feathers
to the point they
became fully fledged
individuals (above).Kingfisher eggs usually hatch 20 days
after the last egg is laid. The pair switch
brooding duties like clockwork. The male
peeps outside the entrance, as if ringing the
doorbell. She waddles out and he scuttles in.
As hatching day approaches, the female
wants to spend more time incubating.
In a change from the usual routine, she
refuses to fly out when her mate calls to
check in. Confused, he enters the tunnel to
investigate and she rushes forward, pecking
him. Their beaks lock and they twist and
turn their heads, as if duelling with swords.
The eggs scatter. The female chases him
back down the tunnel, slashing at him
with her beak. Inside my hide, I gasp at the
shocking brutality of this encounter.
Shortly, I notice the female becoming
restless on her brood and soon after I see
the male enter the chamber with a tiny fish
clasped in his beak. He rasps loudly and the
female rocks briefly to one side to reveal six
eggs and one freshly hatched chick.
The male rasps again to encourage the
wobbly chick to feed. The blind, pink chick