Belted Kingfisher

This species is a year-round resident in Jefferson County. It eats small fish and crustaceans that it catches with it’s long beak - often by diving into the water headfirst. They nest in holes in the sides of banks as shown in one of the images below. The females have reddish accents that distinguish them from the males. Often, they perch on trees or branches that jut out over water and will often dive from them to catch a fish. At rest, their heads appear too big for their bodies and their short legs seem like an afterthought. In flight, they are dramatic flyers able to turn on a dime and hover in place over the water. Kingfishers are probably one of if not the most difficult species to approach - they don’t miss much and will fly off with the slightest movement.

Images with the signature logo will be available for prints. Images without the signature logo do not meet my criteria for prints, but are for your viewing enjoyment.