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Kingfisher Filmed Performing A Head Rotation Straight Out Of The Exorcist

Kingfisher Filmed Performing A Head Rotation Straight Out Of The Exorcist

No, it's not possessed, but it is really weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A kingfisher that was caught by a wildlife trust pulled an extraordinary move straight out of William Friedkin's 1973 classic horror movie The Exorcist - the bird was filmed rotating its head in remarkable fashion, and you can watch it below:

Yep, it turns out that these beautiful birds also have a ridiculous capacity to bend their necks, and while it looks pretty unnatural, that's not exactly the case.

Unlike us, kingfishers - and other birds such as owls - have eyes that are fixed in their sockets. That means that they have to turn their heads in order to see stuff.

Also, they've got a load of extra vertebrae in their neck - well, more than we do, anyway - that make the movement look a bit strange.

The bird was filmed on 4 August by experts from the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust who are catching the birds so that their movements can be studied.

SWNS

They later shared the clip on their Facebook page, writing: "This Kingfisher was caught at Rutland Water recently for ringing purposes.

"Did you know they could spin their heads like this? When in the hand they sometimes do this clockwork-like display to check their surroundings.

"Even when held on an open palm so they can easily fly away, they will sit like this for some time.

"The rotation of the neck is a natural behaviour for a kingfisher, it is not a sign of stress or discomfort."

SWNS

The experts added: "Kingfishers have limited movement in their eye sockets and so move their heads like this to see what is around them.

"They sometimes do this when in the hand, even on an open palm when they can easily fly away, they will often sit like this for a while.

"This bird was caught for ringing purposes, which is the placing of a uniquely numbered metal ring that marks that bird as an individual."

Despite that, people can't stop comparing it to The Exorcist.

SWNS

One person commented: "That is so scary! Is that kingfisher possessed?"

Another wrote: "Looks like a scene from The Exorcist! Absolutely beautiful birds. Didn't realise they were Satan's minions tho!"

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, there are between 4,800 and 8,000 breeding pairs of kingfishers in Britain, and more than 80 different species around the world.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, US Entertainment, Weird, Animals