Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Belted Kingfisher

A couple of days ago I was walking along a wooded river front when I saw what appeared to be a fairly large bird flying by. I could just make it out through the bare trees and pines before it disappeared. My presence seemed to have alarmed it as it gave off a sharp rattle by which I recognized it as a Belted Kingfisher (see snippet below)


They usually don't let you get very close. I took these photos of a female from a blind in the Audubon Refuge on Cape Cod:









              Belted Kingfisher by Robin Carter, SC xeno-canto XC1363 (cc)


The bird will usually sit quietly watchful on a perch by a stream or pond, then rise suddenly, hover briefly and plunge-dive into the water to retrieve a small fish or similar prey.







If you want to know more about Belted Kingfishers, how they dig a deep burrow in a steep bank on the water, excavate a chamber for their nest.... how they eventually coax their young with fish in their bills out for the first time .... here is a terrific article.

This is my contribution to this week's World Bird Wednesday hosted by Springman of The Pine River Review. It's featuring birding posts from around the world, well worth a visit!

Thanks for dropping by. Please leave a comment.
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28 comments:

  1. Modesto ViegasApril 12, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Good serie!

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  2. UnknownApril 12, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Great series Hilke!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. jocodeaneApril 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    My goodness, what pictures!
    Those top two with the golden background.
    Wonderful. As it the cheeky bird itself.
    You are some technician with the camera.

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  4. SpringmanApril 12, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Incredible shots Hilke! This is a fascinating bird for me. Already I have spotted two in Michigan this spring. We are off to a roaring start. There is no mistaking the machine gun rattle voice of the Belted kingfisher. Your BIF pictures are crazy good. Thank you so much for the tip on the fascinating article!

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  5. BirdGalAlcatrazApril 12, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Wonderful, Hilke. I just got my first Belted Kingfisher a few months ago when I visited Central California to see the Sandhill Cranes. I don't have these wonderful birds in my area. Great pics!

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  6. Jen SanfordApril 12, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Great photos and info... They are so tough to get to sit still for a picture! Hey I'm visiting my parents on Cape Cod in May- where is the Audubon Refuge you mentioned?

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  7. AndyApril 12, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    I am green with envy! The good kind of course ;)

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  8. holdingmomentsApril 12, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Great set of shots Hilke. I love his crest.

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  9. CarlettaApril 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Wonderful set of images!
    I really love the third shot - lovely composition.

    Carletta@Round The Bend

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  10. Bill S.April 12, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    One of my favorite, but elusive birds. How lucky can you get to record these lovely pictures? Great post.

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  11. mickApril 12, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    Great photos - I especially like the first one where you cane see all the beautiful colors on the bird.

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  12. PatApril 12, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Excellent photos and info about the Belted Kingfisher. That first shot is a wonderful portrait!

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  13. theconstantwalkerApril 12, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Fantasic series of images Hilke.
    Your Belted Kingfisher is a stunning bird. Lovely flight shots.

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  14. UnknownApril 12, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Nice collection! What a funny-looking bird :)

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  15. jooApril 12, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Wow, you were really lucky! Lovely photos!

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  16. SondraApril 12, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    I usually call them that Darn Kingfisher cause I can never get a decent photo...HEY I have Birded with Robin Carter with the Carolina Bird Club back in the 90's what a surprise to see his name listed up there!!
    Thats a smashing shot...simple awesome!!!

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  17. eileeninmdApril 12, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Wonderful post on the Kingfisher. I did not know they nested in burrows along the river, it does make sense though. Hilke, your photos are wonderful.

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  18. ChrisApril 12, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Wow wonderul pictures!! I love the flight ones but the portrait are so beautiful! DEfinitively one of this nice bird!

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  19. Harold StiverApril 12, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Great series, Hilke, one of the toughest birds to get good images of too.

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  20. AmilaApril 12, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Lovely! Only Kingfisher with a crest I ever saw, perfect shots!

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  21. ArijaApril 13, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Hilke, what an odd looking bird. Love the topknot and regimental red belt.
    It's beak looks too large for it's body, just like our kookaburras who need it to slay venomous snakes.

    Thanks for your comment, after eight years of drought and finally a good year of rain, we had to have the plague I guess.

    Just as well we have had no famine, one was enough for me in 1945-7 after the war as refugees in Germany.

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  22. NatureFootstepApril 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    great shots of a charming bird. I saw one in Costa Rica but did not get any good shot. Too dark and moving boat. :(

    The easiest way to find me:
    NF Fåglar/Birds
    Birds in Costa Rica

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  23. FotokarusellenApril 13, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Thanks for nice comments. This is a great set of images. Well done!

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  24. jeanlivingsimpleApril 13, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Hilke, I love how I was greeted with the sounds of their calls upon entering your site! Kingfishers are very cool birds. Super captures and info to boot!!!

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  25. Mike B.April 14, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Awesome photos! They just won't stick around long enough for me to get a good photo.

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  26. NicoleApril 14, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Those are beautiful! Lovely series of this Beauty in action!

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  27. Hilke BrederApril 14, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful remarks! :-)

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  28. FABApril 15, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    FABulous series Hilke.

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