iN PHOTOS: Six majestic birds that are masters at fishing in Okanagan, Kamloops

There are several species of birds in the Thompson-Okanagan region that exist primarily on fish and local wildlife photographers have snapped action photos of them in recent months.

Osprey can be seen at this time of year bringing fish back to their nests high in the air to give to their chicks. These large birds of prey are commonly called ‘fish hawks’ because 99% of their diet consists of fish which they catch by diving feet first into the water, according to All About Birds.

Perched in trees along the shores of lakes and rivers, bald eagles can be seen scanning the water for fish and swooping down low to snatch them up in their fierce, yellow talons. They build nests in places with wide open views and easy access to water.

Fish are at the top of the menu for these big, powerful flyers, making up to 90% of their diet, but they will also feast on rodents, lizards and other birds.

Blue Herons are master fisherman and can be seen standing still on the edges of any water body containing fish, which makes up the majority of their diet. Once they spot a fish, they strike at it with lightening speed with their sharp beaks. These tall, majestic birds target smaller fish they can eat whole, and consume up to a pound of fish per day.

Common loons are powerful, agile divers that can catch a small fish in an underwater chase by propelling themselves with their feet. They have more solid bones than other water birds which allows them to dive better.

Sharp projections in the loons mouth help keep a hold of the fish which they swallow underwater. Loon parents with two chicks eat about half of a ton of fish while the chicks are being raised.

Known for their distinct, large pouches on their bills, pelicans eat a wide array of different fish they catch using unique hunting techniques, according to Bird Fact. They can fly over the water and when they spot a fish, they can dive up to three feet deep to scoop it up in their bill. They spit out the water and swallow the fish.

Another technique these birds use is gathering together and flapping their wings and feet to herd the fish closer to shore, making them easier to scoop up.

Kingfishers are skilled divers and hunters that are found perched in trees on the shores of lakes and rivers, and the belted kingfisher is the most common of the species. These small, metallic blue birds will scan the water surface for hours and then suddenly dive into the water and emerge with a beak full.

While raising chicks, the birds fish more in order to bring in roughly 100 fish per day to feed their young.