belted Kingfisher

[lcaryfrog]

Hello: Can anyone explain some seemingly odd behavior from two Kingfishers at the Brandywine River in West Chester PA. It is November. The two birds were making a lot of noise and flying around in a limited area together. They went from tree to tree and sat for a bit then flew to another nearby tree and then back....always making a considerable amount of noise. I have seen such strange behavior in other birds when it relates to a chick in danger but I think it is too late in the season for hatchlings. Any answers?

[RecoveringScot]

Hello: Can anyone explain some seemingly odd behavior from two Kingfishers at the Brandywine River in West Chester PA. It is November. The two birds were making a lot of noise and flying around in a limited area together. They went from tree to tree and sat for a bit then flew to another nearby tree and then back....always making a considerable amount of noise. I have seen such strange behavior in other birds when it relates to a chick in danger but I think it is too late in the season for hatchlings. Any answers?

This sounds like typical raptor 'mobbing' or 'alarm' behaviour to me. I lay odds that there was a bird of prey hidden somewhere in the trees, which the BKs had spotted. This sort of behaviour needn't be related to young in the nest.

Cheers,

[lcaryfrog]

This sounds like typical raptor 'mobbing' or 'alarm' behaviour to me. I lay odds that there was a bird of prey hidden somewhere in the trees, which the BKs had spotted. This sort of behaviour needn't be related to young in the nest.

Cheers,
Hello:
Thank you for the information. Is it typical to find Kingfishers in pairs? I thought they were loners.

Thanks

[njlarsen]

Another kingfisher behavior that would fit is strengthening the pair bond at the chosen site for nesting. This does however, seem a few month early ...

Niels