Incredible photo captures rare kingfisher perched on a branch above Water of Leith

With its flash of turquoise feathers and copper breast it’s hard to mistaken it for any other bird than a kingfisher.

A kingfisher has been captured on camera while perching on a branch above Water of Leith in Edinburgh.

The bird, boasting bright orange and turquoise feathers, was spotted with a fish in its beak near the Antony Gormley statue nearest to Anderson Place on Tuesday.

Edinburgh photographer Callum Robinson was lucky enough to capture the bird which is rarely seen resting according to local twitchers.

A kingfisher perched on a branch above Water of Leith in Edinburgh picture: Callum Robinson

The photo has generated a huge response from Edinburgh residents living near the area where the magnificent species was photographed.

Some locals have said they only see kingfishers in the area once or twice a year, while other bird enthusiasts said how hard it is to capture the bird on camera.

Kingfishers can usually be spotted sitting quietly on low-hanging branches over still or slow running water before suddenly diving in to catch a small fish.

The striking mix of its bright-blue back and metallic copper breast make them easy to identify from other birds.

Male kingfishers have an entirely black bill while females have an orangey-red patch at the base, according to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

They have been known to visit people’s gardens when searching for food.

With a wingspan reaching about 40cm and weighing just 25g when it reaches adulthood, the average lifespan of a kingfisher is about two years.

According to the RSPB they eat mainly fish, chiefly minnows and sticklebacks, but they also take aquatic insects, freshwater shrimps and tadpoles to top up their diet.