is
one of my favorite birds. At 8 inches long, dressed in slate blue, a wild
mane-like crest on the back of the head, and a wonderfully spiky bill, the Belted Kingfisher
makes no bones about who he is, what he is, and where he is! He is no shrinking violet.
Every day, a pair of these birds frequents the ponds at Bylane. As I watch
them course over the water, it strikes me that they really enjoy their ability to fly. The female, with her russet
brown cummerbund, and the male, without, make their loud, rattling calls for all to take notice. They frequent the
ponds in search of an unaware and unsuspecting fish that might be near the surface. Without hesitation, the
kingfisher dives
headfirst into the pond, usually emerging with his or her quarry. When not searching the ponds for food, the
kingfisher
couple may be found on a nearby branch, or atop the red cedar next to the ponds. Always with one eye on the
water!
Kingfishers have a unique style of nesting. Unlike other birds of its size,
the kingfisher digs a burrow in an earthen cliff face. This burrow may not be near water, but you can be assured that
water is not too far as the \kingfisher flies.
The next time you are near a lake and hear a low-toned, but loud rattle-like
call, look out over the water for a Belted Kingfisher. Their carefree attitude is not characteristic of many birds,
outside of hawks and owls. After seeing one, you might decide that the Belted Kingfisher is one of your favorite birds
too.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright © by Rick
Paris
rick@rickparis.com
www.rickparis.com
Bedford
Audubon Society