"Hidden" Belted Kingfisher
I photographed this Belted Kingfisher at Florence River Park from my car. As the bird was behind a number of tree and shrub branches it thought it was hidden so it stayed put about 30 feet from my car (they usually flush at that close distance)--of course those branches made getting a clear shot a challenge.
While field marks of blue-gray head and back, white collar, black dagger like bill are usually noted, often not mentioned is the small white spot in front of each eye. Interestingly these white spots are thought to assist their fishing skill: "That “perfect” aim, some biologists believe, is enabled by two white “false eyes” in front of the bill. These spots may serve as sighting devices along the line of the bill, allowing the eyes to fix binocular vision on the prey, and also correcting for light refraction at the water’s surface, which makes prey appear to be nearer the surface than they really are." SeEtta
While field marks of blue-gray head and back, white collar, black dagger like bill are usually noted, often not mentioned is the small white spot in front of each eye. Interestingly these white spots are thought to assist their fishing skill: "That “perfect” aim, some biologists believe, is enabled by two white “false eyes” in front of the bill. These spots may serve as sighting devices along the line of the bill, allowing the eyes to fix binocular vision on the prey, and also correcting for light refraction at the water’s surface, which makes prey appear to be nearer the surface than they really are." SeEtta
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