Beautiful kingfisher swoops down to nab its prey in the blink of an eye Read more

On trying again, the bird managed to nab itself a squirming fishThese close-up pictures of a majestic kingfisher catching its dinner in Worcestershire show that British wildlife can be just as stunning as exotic animals anywhere in the world.

Photographer Ian Schofiled captured the orange and blue bird as it swooped down to the River Salwarpe near Droitwich Spa to hunt for fish from the branches.

It took two attempts but the bird persevered, nosediving down beak first to catch its prey unawares.

Kingfishers are characterised by their rapid, low flight over water and their ability to hunt fish by hovering in wait above the water’s surface. The feathers on their backs can appear blue or green depending on the angle at which they are viewed.