How do kingfishers catch prey from a perch?

Kingfishers, which are members of the order Coraciiformes, utilize a patient and precise hunting technique from a perch. The process typically involves the following steps:

• Observation: The bird sits still on a favorite perch, intently watching for movement in the water below.1
• The Plunge: Once it spots its quarry, the kingfisher dives into the water, typically targeting prey no deeper than 25 cm (10 inches) below the surface. It captures the target using its dagger-shaped bill.1
• Surface Return: After a successful strike, the bird uses a swift downstroke of its wings to bob back to the surface.1
• Processing: The kingfisher returns to its perch with the prey. To stun the fish before swallowing it, the bird beats the prey against the perch.1

While many species are famous for this aquatic hunting method, some members of the family, such as the kookaburra, are forest-dwelling and capture prey like insects, reptiles, and small birds directly on the ground.1