I was just re-looking at some of the latest Common Kingfisher photos (us photographers do this often!) and, well, see for yourself!
Spot the difference!
Can’t see it? Take a closer look at the lower mandibles (lower beaks). The stage of transformation is different. As I have mentioned many times, female Common Kingfishers have a red/orange lower mandible which is black at birth and gradually changes as the bird develops (males stay black).
These 2 photos are clearly two different juvenile Female Kingfishers. Looking at the EXIF data (all the techie stuff added to photos), the photo on the left was shot at 8:49am and the one on the right was much later at 10:26am. I originally thought that I have been watching the same female coming and going, it is now apparent that there are currently two of them, almost certainly from the same parents. I also think that they are slightly different sizes, but due to the different pose it is difficult to tell. I have even checked by raising the exposure on the right photo to make sure it’s not a trick of light.
Amazing!
Lots of these Kingfishers are available to order in print along with a lot more of my work in the Shop.