Handbook of Nature-Study · Lesson XXIV · Topic 2: Bird study: birds to know
24. The kingfisher
Goal: Your child can explain how the kingfisher's big head, long beak and favorite perch make it a fisherman, and recognize its rattling call.
You'll need
- Binoculars
- A stream, river, pond or lake shore
- Nature notebook and colored pencils (slate blue, white, rusty orange)
What's in the book
The leading thought, the method (observe at a stream or pond, or ask children who fish) and seven questions about its perch, fishing, beak and how it handles a fish, size and feet, colors, nest, and its note. A poem, "The Kingfisher (of England)", follows.
The lesson, step by step
When and where
Spring through fall, and all winter where water stays open. Look along streams, ponds and lake shores for a blue-gray bird with a shaggy crest perched on a branch or wire over the water. Listen for a loud dry rattle.
Safety: an adult stays close by near water, and keep back from steep or crumbling banks.
Keep the big idea in mind
Read this to yourself:
The kingfisher is fitted by form of body and beak to be a fisherman.
The favorite perch
Where have you seen the kingfisher? Have you often seen it on a certain branch which is its favorite perch? Is this perch near the water? What is the advantage of this position to the bird?
Watch it fish
What does the kingfisher feed upon? How does it obtain its food? Describe the actions of one of these birds while fishing.
Watch for it to hover, then dive headfirst into the water.
Beak and body
Which is the larger, the kingfisher or the robin? Describe the difference in shape of the bodies of these two birds; also in the size and shape of feet and beaks
The kingfisher has a huge head and beak and tiny feet.
Colors and nest
What are the colors of the kingfisher in general?
Do you know the difference in colors between the parent birds?
The female has a rusty band across her belly, which the male lacks.
Where is the nest built?
Kingfishers dig tunnels in steep sandy banks. Don't climb on or dig at those banks.
Put it into words
Ask your child how the kingfisher is made for fishing. Then share the leading thought.
Nature notebook
Draw the kingfisher on its perch over the water, crest up and beak pointed down. If you saw it dive, add a splash.
Afterwards
Visit the same stretch of water a few times and see if the kingfisher uses the same perch.
Tip
Kingfishers are wary. Sit still on the bank for ten minutes and let it get used to you.