Take 5: Hail to the Kingfishers

With its loud rattling call and wild hairstyle, the belted kingfisher is an energetic fixture of our waterways. Both male and female have a blue bandthe “belt”across the breast, but only the female has a second rusty belt below it. Here are five portraits of belted kingfishers from past editions of our Photo Contest. Read more about this species’ status in our Breeding Bird Atlas 2.

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Larry Warfield

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Larry Warfield

2012 Photo Contest Entry © Edmund Prescottano

2012 Photo Contest Entry © Edmund Prescottano

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Neil O'Hara

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Neil O’Hara

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Donna Sullivan

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Donna Sullivan

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Susan Wellington

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Susan Wellington

Want to send us your best shot? Enter our 2015 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest!