Birds that begin with *K* (Sun & Mon)

[Patti from Kentucky]

These are a couple of Eastern Kingbird fledglings; I watched them wait for food deliveries by Mom & Dad one early summer day...very fun!

[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

[Annette]

Kaka - a parrot in New Zealand

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

[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

[anneintoronto]

K is for Killdeer

MAK -- you beat me to it again!!  Oh well, one good killdeer deserves another!!

Overview

Killdeer: Large banded plover, brown upperparts and white underparts, two distinct black bands cross upper breast. White stripes on wings are visible in flight. Tail and rump show rust-brown in flight. Black bill, pink-brown legs and feet. Wavering, erratic flight, capable of swift, direct flight.

Range and Habitat

Killdeer: Breeds from Alaska east to Newfoundland and southward. Spends winters north to British Columbia, Utah, the Ohio Valley, and Massachusetts; also found in South America. Preferred habitats include open areas such as plowed fields, golf courses, and short-grass prairies.

Voice Text
"kill-dee", "kill-deear", "kill-deeah-dee-dee"

[above information from www.whatbird.com]

I’ve only seen a Killdeer do her “broken wingâ€� display once.  She does this to distract predators away from her nest.  It’s quite dramatic and seems to work really well!!

A group of killdeers are collectively known as a "season" of killdeers.
                        
Anne in Toronto



Photo from Wikipedia

[gayle]

Pied Kingfisher

The Pied Kingfisher is thought to be the third most common kingfisher.  It is resident in sub-Saharan Africa and west Asia.  It does not migrate.  It hovers over water to catch fish and crustaceans.  Photograph is a screen shot from Pete's Pond in Botswana.

Gayle

[gayle]

Woodland Kingfisher

The Woodland Kingfisher is another beautiful sub-Saharan kingfisher.  It does migrate to the equatorial zone in the dry season.  It hunts its food from a perch in a tree   Food includes insects as well as fish and small crustaceans.  On safaris, we frequently see this bird preening after dips in the water. Photograph is a screen capture from safari.tv.  It has a lovely trill call:  http://macaulaylibrary.org/search.do

Gayle

[gayle]

I am struck by the number of "K" birds there are in New Zealand.  The K sound must be predominate in the Maori language.

Gayle

[dale]

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

[gayle]

One more Killdeer!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has an aviary built right over the water where injured birds live.  Waves lap in giving the shore birds their normal food in a natural setting.  One can see eye-to-eye with the birds.

[dale]

CHECK OUT the KILLDEER'S STRIPES!!!!  
I'm thinking he has striped underpants on too, don't you think?