Kingfishers

Yesterday, Kat and I took a trip to Summit Lake State Park for some birding. On the way there, after our customary stop at the home made donut shop in Pendleton, we talked about what we hoped to see there. Kat was hopeful to spot a kingfisher, as she had not seen one yet this year. Sure enough, on our drive around the lake we came across one sitting atop a branch over a drainage ditch. Of course, in our area we only have the belted kingfisher and so I wondered how many varieties of kingfisher there are in the world. From some internet research, I gathered that there are 93 different kingfishers in the world. BUT....in North America there are only three present and two of those seem to be specialists in the south. While in Texas last year, I got to see a Green Kingfisher, which was truly one of the more fun sightings I have had.

Some interesting facts...the belted kingfisher is one of the few species whose females are more colorful than the males. And, did you know that the image of the belted kingfisher is on the back of a Canada's five dollar bill? Their nest tunnels, built in the banks of waterways will be 3 to 7 feet long when completed and the eggs will be laid in total darkness.

One of the more enjoyable things to watch anytime out in the field, is when you come across a kingfisher actually fishing. They are highly skilled and the sight of them diving in the water is quite entertaining.