[Length 8.75 in. Wingspan 15.5 in.]

Western Kingbirds are common breeding birds in the western US, where they are often seen perched on small bushes, trees, and fence wires. From these perches they quickly dash out to catch any insect which ventures too close. This one was photographed on a fence right along the road in southern Colorado. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.5 Nikkor ED lens on Ektachrome 400 film pushed to 800. (Date: June 1986)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This male Belted Kingfisher was photographed at the Andrews Bird Viewing Trail, Andrews, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: October 25, 2007)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This Belted Kingfisher had the misfortune to try to eat a fisherman's baited hook. It died after becoming entwined in the fishing line. It was photographed at a Texas State Fish Hatchery north of Ingram, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor EDAF 300 f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: April 2000)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This male Belted Kingfisher was photographed at the Andrews Bird Viewing Trail, Andrews, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: October 25, 2007)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This male Belted Kingfisher was photographed at the Andrews Bird Viewing Trail, Andrews, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: October 25, 2007)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This male Belted Kingfisher was photographed at the Andrews Bird Viewing Trail, Andrews, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: October 25, 2007)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This male Belted Kingfisher in flight was photographed at the Andrews Bird Viewing Trail, Andrews, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 70-200mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC14E II 1.4x Teleconverter (EFL=420mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: October 17, 2008)

[Length 13 in. Wingspan 20 in.]

This male Belted Kingfisher in flight was photographed at the Andrews Bird Viewing Trail, Andrews, TX. Photo taken with a Nikkor 70-200mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC14E II 1.4x Teleconverter (EFL=420mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: October 17, 2008)