I have a number of funny drawings of kingfishers. Here's the most abstract. He has caught himself a fish.

I like that photo of one, Gayle.

dale

that's totally hilarious, Lou. But I think that he overdid the white tape on purpose - observers think he has a serious head injury and refrain from hurling abuse at him. I had no such defense.

sorry...I know it's nature and all...but that is SOOOOOO silly.
Sorry, guys.

dale

yes, Annette! I forgot! Another New Zealand K-parrot!  Thank you!

and there's one more - kakariki - 3 species of little NZ parakeets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakariki

dale

I like both of those kites a lot. Check out the eyes on Annette's bird!

I don't know kingbirds! Pretty birds!!

since Donna mentioned yet another of the New Zealand "K" birds, one ought to mention the

large, flightless parrot KAKAPO or "owl parrot" - critically endangered

http://gbweekly.co.nz/2009/7/29/kakapo-care-challenges-and-delights-conservation-volunteers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo

and

the uber-smart   KEA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kea
a BBC documentary about "the smartest parrot," the KEA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twg4Yg4gFoo

dale

[KOOKABURRA]

KOOKABURRA

a drawing I did a few years ago of two of them.

the laugh: http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/uploaded/IGODCAJPUG/Laughing%20Kookaburra.mp3

dale

KIWI -
I heard them my first night on the Kepler track in NZ. They woke me up with their yelling at each other. Odd relationship they have, the Mr. and the Mrs.
  
Note: Kiwis are the only birds who store their nostrils way out at the tip of their bills.

Check out how big an egg is inside the bird.
No room for pizza at all.
(image from http://www.kamcom.co.nz/kiwi/kiwibreeding.htm)

These guys evolved basically without predators. So they stink at protecting themselves or their young from mammals like dogs, rats, stoats, etc.
 
Here's a lady psyched by getting to touch one: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_flash_skin/1380546

Kiwis are good at not being seen. Except this one, he was a showoff.
 
dale

[Red Jungle Fowl]

Red Jungle Fowl  Gayle

EXCELLENT RED CHICKEN, that is.

Linda, did you SEE this?

Here are some of my photos (and antics) of the blue jays that I had this summer.
--Mardean

Oh, that last one is just terrific!!

Lorenz is wonderful, Aafke, I second that recommendation!

I LOVE Gayle's photograph of Jacana-in-the-leaves!
The picture MAK posted gives a good sense of the HUMUNGOUS feet that in Gayle's photo are busy wading.

dale

one more...

the artist formerly known as JACKASS PENGUIN

Taken at Boulders Beach near Cape Town SA. Ignore the jackass in the red hat.
 
The African Penguin ... is found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in colonies on 24 islands ...Because of their donkey-like braying call they were previously named Jackass Penguins. (wikipedia)

Dale

With apologies for jumping the gun, I will follow Patti's corrupting example and start a new letter a bit early...I can't post later, and I want to start the Js with JAYS!

I'm sure lots of people will have JAYS to post - there have already been some...

I took these (and a zillion more, thanks to someone's leftover french fries) in Big Sur.

JAYS, steller's jays and california scrub jays

dale

Yeah, this isn't a competition!!!
There are LOTS of birds that have had multiple posts, and lucky birds they are!

dale 

Never heard of this bird but wow so pretty. Thanks Annette! I'iwi....who knew. How do you even say that?  EYE-E-WE?  ???

dictionary.com says ee-EE-we.

two Imperial Eagles -
Eastern Imperial Eagle and
Iberian (Spanish) Imperial Eagle
wikipedia

There's also an Indian Spotted Eagle
http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Indian_Spotted_Eagle
http://naturechronicles.com/gallery/v/Feather/Eagle_IndianSpotted+4076_fcw.jpg.html