Creatures Around The Lake: Belted Kingfisher



  Have you ever been near a freshwater or saltwater source and heard a loud, rattle sound?  It is likely a belted kingfisher. These medium sized birds with large, crested heads, sturdy bills and small feet are the only variety of the kingfisher species to make it as far north as Washington.

     The belted kingfisher like clear, shallow water which they perch or hover above to look for food.  When they spot small fish or other aquatic creatures, they plunge into the water and use their beak to catch prey.
     Nest building begins in April- in vertical sand or dirt banks by water.  The kingfisher has two toes that are fused together to make burrowing  into the bank easier.  The nest is usually lined with the kingfisher's regurgitated pellets, which are largely made up of fish bones.  These pellets provide insulation.  The female lays 5-7 eggs- with both male and female incubating the eggs.
     Many of our area lakes have a resident belted kingfisher or two. As long as there's an open body of water, you might see one year round.
Susan Derge

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