Bird Pictures - Wildlife Photography

British birds

Great cormorant squawking by a river's edge

Great Cormorant squawking whilst perched on a fallen tree by the river's edge. Great Cormorants are british birds with a wide range of habitat, both marine and freshwater. When inland, they prefer bodies of open water surrounded by trees, bushes or reed beds for nesting. They perch by rivers, feeding mostly on fish but near freshwater will often feed on insects, amphibians and crustaceans.

British birds of prey

Kestrel in flight, scanning for prey

Kestrel in flight, hunting along the cliffs of Cornwall. Kestrels hunt for small mammals amongst the heathland found along the southern cliff banks of Cornwall. One of the amazing british birds of prey, Kestrels in flight have the extraordinary ability to hover in perfect stillness, appearing to effortlessly pause in mid-air as they hunt for prey. Kestrels are a type of Falcon, they hover with their pointed wings arching out in the wind.

Kingfisher photos

Blue-eared kingfisher softly lit by a tropical sunset

Blue-Eared Kingfisher (female) hunting in the early evening. Blue-eared Kingfisher Females are distinguished by their bright orange lower beak, the male blue-eared kingfishers have a pure black beak. They can be found throughout Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Like most kingfishers, they have brilliantly bright colours, the Blue-eared kingfishers having exceptionally vivid cobalt blue colouring.

Bird pictures

Turquoise-browed motmot, the national bird of El Salvadore

Turquoise-browed motmot is the national bird of El Salvadore. Known locally as Torogoz, based on its call. Turquoise-browed motmots have a number of local names; Guardabarranco (Ravine-guard) in Nicaragua, torogoz (based on its call)in El Salvadore, påjaro relog (clock bird - based on the habit of wagging its tail like a pendulum when faced with a predator) in the Yucatan, pajaro bobo (foolish bird) in Costa Rica.

Birds of prey

Red Kite hunting for carrion

Red Kites. The sheer elegance and power of a Red Kite in flight as it hunts for prey. Its beautiful golden eyes searching for unsuspecting prey or carrion. A powerful bird of prey, the wingspan of a Red Kites can reach two metres. The diet of red kites includes a wide variety of small mammals but will happily scavenge on carrion if available. Red kites are often seen following tractors, scouring for rodents as they harvest crops.

Puffin pictures

Atlantic puffin in flight with a beak full of sand eels

Atlantic puffin landing from flight, its wings spread to slow its descent as it lands on a hillside strewn with white sea campion. During the breeding season, puffins constandly fly in and out of the water with mouthfuls of fish to feed their young. The largest recorded number of fish in a puffin's beak at once was a staggering 62. Although perceived as clumsy on land, puffins dive and swim adeptly.

Tropical Birds

Keel-billed toucan

Keel-billed toucan looking cheekily at the camera. Keel billed toucan are also known as the rainbow billed toucan because of its wonderfully rainbow coloured bill. Keel billed toucans are native to the jungles and rain forests of South America. They live within holes in the trees, normally with several other toucans of the same species. They sleep tucked into tiny balls with their beak and tail tucked away, thus allowing room for all to sleep.

Rainforest birds

Resplendent quetzel feeding on berries in the rainforest

Resplendent Quetzal feeding on berries in the cloud forest. Resplendent Quetzals live up to their name due to their resplendent, vibrant colouring. Resplendent Quetzals are the national bird of Guatemala, appearing on both their flag and coat of arms. They are also very relevant in Guatemalan culture, believed to be the spirit guide of their local hero, prince and warrior Tecún Umán.