The 2023 ABA Bird of the Year was revealed yesterday evening. The bird of the year is the Queenfisher, also known as the female Belted Kingfisher. I think this was an excellent choice for several reasons. Additionally, as a female photographer, I also liked that this year’s choice was announced as the Queenfisher.
Belted Kingfisher female aka Queenfisher – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Queenfishers, aka female Belted Kingfishers, are more colorful than their male counterparts. Belted Kingfisher males lack the rusty red coloration that their female counter parts have. There aren’t that many female birds that are more colorful than the males of their species. I think that is wonderful reason to celebrate this species as the bird of the year.
Female Belted Kingfisher on her throne – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Belted Kingfishers are found throughout the ABA area. Here in Utah I see them every month of the year. If there is open water I even see them in the coldest parts of winter. I find them in the marshes that surround the Great Salt Lake, rattling over small ponds, breeding high in the Uinta and the Wasatch Mountains, and even the near Jordan River which is just a two minute drive from home.
Quite often I hear these stunning birds before I see them.
Female Belted Kingfisher on a February afternoon – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 320, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I do think it was time to focus on the female of a bird species as the 2023 ABA Bird of the Year. The Queenfisher is bright, beautiful, lively, and sometimes elusive. Plus, like the females of my own species, Queenfishers are excellent at catching fish.
Life is good. Birds absolutely make it better!
Mia
Click here to see more of my Belted Kingfisher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful bird. If I had that much hair I would comb it the same way. Great pics Mia. Thanks.
I have not heard them called Queenfishers before. Lovely photos, Mia. Like you I hear that chatter more often than I get a clean view of a bird.
Nice post and pictures of the Queenfisher. I see or hear the birds once in while when I would take my dogs for a walk along the Big and Little Goose Creeks in my town They go by so fast.
I love it – and the name is perfection.
Beautiful images, love to see them but so difficult to get close images of them.
These are one of my favorite birds .. great photos Mia Really showed her great coloration beautifully!!
Hurray for the female Belted Kingfisher being called a Queenfisher. Right on! Beautiful shots!
Ditto! Really enjoy your shots and your comments.
Love these shots!
I think Queenfisher will become part of my vocabulary and surely will be counted among the “new” words of the year in Urban Dictionary. and Merriam-Webster. Beautiful images. I have never gotten close enough to one to capture such feather detail.
NAMIE’s TGSR song, Queenfisher, is about a young bird’s journey of overcoming her fears of flying into the unknown. With the help of other birds around her, she eventually musters the courage to fly.
Link (close spaces for correct URL) you tu. be / wGH2LnzAMxg
So exciting! I’m a fan of Belted Kingfishers for several reasons and it’s especially nice that the female gets her due. Love “Queenfisher!” These are some fabulous shots of these daredevil and effective hunters!