This is a female Belted Kingfisher. I really enjoy getting to see these noisy, chittering birds—mainly because they are very exotic looking, and it exceedingly difficult to get close to one.
Kingfishers like to live in remote areas close to water. I usually find them around the Trinity River and its tributaries. Belted Kingfishers are also very skittish and usually fly away as soon as they detect your presence. The angry scolding of their call is often the only evidence I have that a kingfisher had been in the vicinity.
This attractive female was different. For a few weeks in December this pioneering bird took up residence at our neighborhood Beaver pond. She was very tolerant of observation, and allowed us to watch for up to an hour at a time as she fished the cold waters of Dudley Branch.
That is one punked-out little bird. I watch kingfishers on Long Island, often alerted to their presence by the rattle they make. Chris, I love that you can refer so casually to your “neighborhood beaver pond.”
Hi Melissa,
This little creek that runs through our neighborhood starts here too. The very first mile or so cuts through our subdivision on its way to the Trinity River (our Beaver supply). Storm runoff is what feed the creek. At one time on our little stretch there were 4 Beavers dams spaced evenly. They took down an amazing number of 10 year old Black Willow tree during the dam building process. Some time last year the city came in and rounded up all of the Beavers—somebody must have complained. The Beavers are gone for now. But I suspect that we will soon have replacements!
Great photos! I saw one of these for the 1st time at Caddo Lake a couple months ago,
Thanks! Its not often that you can get this close to one. This little girl was particularly tolerant for some reason. She stayed at this location for several weeks before moving on!