Kingfisher grooming sessions

Tuesday 5 March 2019, 22:44 by Harry Kiewiet | 6,422 views | 11 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

The kingfisher's waterproof and insulating plumage consists of short, dense feathers that are groomed and combed up to six times a day. This can take 15 to 20 minutes each time.

Camera settings: 1/4000, f/4, ISO1000
The kingfisher has a grooming movement that is unique among birds: it rubs over the crown of its head with the inside of its wing. The kingfisher also regularly takes a bath.

Camera settings: 1/2500, f/4, ISO1600
Parent birds mainly bathe at the end of the period in which the young are fed in the nest chamber. The feathers are cleaned and coated with oil from the preen gland. This keeps the plumage water-repellent.

Camera settings: 1/3200, f/4, ISO1600

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About the author

Harry is een selfmade vogelfotograaf. Hij is coördinator van de ijsvogelwerkgroep en vrijwilliger in de weidevogelwerkgroep van natuur- en milieuvereniging 'Het Stroomdal' in Drenthe. Hij wil graag in zijn artikelen met tips & tricks laten zien hoe zijn foto's tot stand zijn gekomen.

Young kingfishers
by Harry Kiewiet
Kingfisher groups and nesting banks
by Harry Kiewiet
Kingfisher with a pellet
by Harry Kiewiet
Kingfisher in flight
by Harry Kiewiet
Kingfisher: Threat
by Harry Kiewiet
Capturing a kingfisher's dive
by Harry Kiewiet

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11 comments

Nicolien wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 00:23 | reply
Beautiful
Translated from Dutch.

Jeanette wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 11:58 | reply
Thank you for the beautiful photos and the clear explanation!
Translated from Dutch.

Bernard Lanssens wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 13:47 | reply
Yes Very Beautiful, But with which camera and lens?
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Eric wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 14:47 | reply
Beautiful shots !
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Langenaeken jef wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 14:50 | reply
Beautiful images but could someone tell me where kingfishers can be spotted and photographed?
I live in Borgloon (Belgium) but I rarely come across a kingfisher here.
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Bernt wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 16:20 | reply
I think it’s beautiful, just a shame about that perch always being in the photos. I’d love to take (or see)a photo when it’s just arriving or hunting. More exciting.
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Harry wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 17:19 | reply
nice photo. which white balance do you use
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harry1957 wrote on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 17:43 | reply
The photos are taken with a Canon 5 d Mark IV and the lens I use is a Canon EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM. The distance from which I photograph is approximately 10 metres and the camera is on a tripod. The following articles will cover, among other things, kingfishers in flight with or without fish, diving, fish transfer, mating, kingfisher with fish, pellet, threat, young kingfishers etc.
Translated from Dutch.

Edith wrote on Thursday 7 March 2019 at 10:56 | reply
Beautiful and nice to read more info.
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georges osten wrote on Thursday 7 March 2019 at 17:30 | reply
A clear explanation
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guest wrote on Thursday 7 March 2019 at 17:34 | reply
A clear explanation
Regards, georges osten
Translated from Dutch.

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