Beautiful, but fierce! Two kingfishers have a white hot battle
CGTN
Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

Two shimmering blue kingfishers engage in a life or death battle at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal, Wiltshire. /VCG Photo

The two featherweights were fighting over fishing rights on the stretch of waterway in order to survive the hardships of the coming winter. The amazing scene which is rarely caught on camera was captured by Philippa Huber on her travels along the waterways of the UK. After coming together in the fast fought clash the two birds flew off in opposite directions.

Despite of the small size, the kingfisher is quite aggressive. If another kingfisher enters its territory, fights may occur, in which one bird will grab the other's beak and try to hold it under water.

The kingfishers are important members of ecosystems, and good indicators of freshwater community health. These little birds love habitats with clear water, so the presence of them confirms the standard of the water. 

(Cover photo via VCG)

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