Belted Kingfisher Jitters

One would think that she had just finished two pots of coffee!

I observed her actions for over an hour. I do not think she stayed still for over 30 seconds. Big Beaver Pond is not a vast area, but she traveled through it all. She was diving into the water to catch fish and explore the surroundings. A Bald Eagle came gliding in and landed where she was fishing. She shoots straight for the Eagle and zooms over its head, lands on a branch close to the Eagle, and starts making all sorts of noise. Seeing that the Eagle was going nowhere, she moved to a location close to me. Where she landed, there was a small window through two trees where I could photograph her. I knew I had about 30 seconds, and then she would be off. 

She could hear hikers headed her way and was on full alert!

Big Beaver Pond, Anacortes

Belted Kingfisher Jitters

The belted kingfisher is a medium-sized bird that is found in North America. It is a specialist fisher, and its fishing techniques are quite impressive.

Belted kingfishers typically hunt from a perch on a high bank or tree branch overlooking a body of water. When they spot a fish, they will hover in the air for a moment then dive headfirst into the water. They can reach speeds of up to 25 mph in their dives, and they dive up to ten inches deep. They have a sharp bill that they use to spear fish.

Once they have caught a fish, belted kingfishers will fly back to their perch and eat it. They flip the fish into the air catching it headfirst then swallow it whole. They also eat crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, and aquatic insects.

Belted kingfishers are an important part of the aquatic ecosystem. They help to control populations of fish, and they also provide food for other animals, such as hawks and owls.

If you are lucky enough to see a belted kingfisher fishing, it is an amazing sight. These birds are experts in their craft, and they are an important part of the balance of nature.

The Belted Kingfisher zipping from tree to tree in the Big Beaver Pond. The Kingfisher was too busy to see a Bald Eagle coming into the area and landing. Once the Kingfisher noticed the Eagle, she was on a mission to get the Eagle out of the area. She was continually divebombing the Eagle with hopes of moving it out. The Eagle had no intention of moving anywhere at the time. 

Belted Kingfisher (female)

She was on the lookout for hikers she could hear coming closer to where she was perched. She had landed in a spot where I had an exceedingly small window to photograph thought two trees. 

The hikers were getting too close for comfort. 

She decided to make herself shorter in hoping they would not spot her. 

They passed by without seeing her and she was looking for the next spot to head to and continue fishing.

The Belted Kingfishers are very entertaining to watch!

Little Cranberry Lake, Big Beaver Pond, Anacortes
02.08.2023

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