Two kingfishers locked beaks mid air as they dueled over a small patch of land.

The confrontational birds were spotted in Tokyo, Japan, near a river during a light drizzle.

A stunning photograph was captured by onlooker Seiichi Tsuboya, 57, where one swooping kingfisher's magnificent teal and grey wings could be seen in their full glory.

A second bird appeared suspended mid air as it tightly locked beaks with its opponent.

Mr Tsuboya said: 'After waiting some time and watching each other closely, chasing one another back and forth, the decisive moment finally came. They confronted each other directly for about a minute, I think. 

'Fortunately, neither of them was injured, and afterwards they both returned to their respective territories.

'I loved witnessing this, as a direct confrontation between kingfishers is a rare and precious moment that is very difficult to photograph. 

'I spend around 100 days a year photographing kingfishers, but even with that much time in the field, I only get the opportunity to capture a confrontation like this once every one or two years. 

'So I was very happy to have been there at the right moment to capture this rare encounter.'