Catch of the day: Kingfisher's acrobatic swoop

By Rebecca Lewis @RebeccaSLewis

A KINGFISHER bangs its meal against a branch after cleverly catching its dinner

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Rain falls as the male kingfisher, with bright blue and orange fur, sits on the tree branch

The stunning images capture the blue and orange coloured bird bashing the fish against the wood in order to kill it.

Water droplets fly into the air with the force of the kill.

The male kingfisher eyes his prey in the river below

British photographer Trevor Wilson took the pictures in the West Midlands as the male kingfisher hunted for food while its mate guarded their offspring.

The stunning snaps were the recipient of 2014’s Societies Wildlife Picture of the Year award.

Trevor said: “I wanted to photograph the Kingfisher because it's probably one of the most recognised birds we have yet probably one of the least seen.

The bird smacks the fish's head against the bark to kill it

The colourful bird catches the fish with its black beak

“This male had a female sitting on a second clutch of eggs for the season further down the river.

“He was fishing for her & himself. Kingfishers are extremely territorial and this male had previously seen off his offspring from the season’s first clutch.

The bird will then take it to his nest to feed his mate

“When he intends to eat the fish for himself he flicks it up into the air in order to swallow it head first in order that no spines or fins get stuck in his throat.

“When the fish is intended for the female he tends to bang it's head against the branch in order to stun it so he can fly it back to the female and holding it tail first so as to offer it to his female head first.”