A quick hello and a kingfisher question (1 Viewer)

[Gwasshopper]

Hello, I'm in my 50's and after a lifetime of appreciating the natural world I've developed a keener interest in birds. I'll take this opportunity to apologise for questions which those of you with a longstanding interest in birding may find ridiculous . I live in Bristol in the UK and today I've been using my cheap binoculars to take a closer look at a local kingfisher on the Frome. I'm trying to work out whether it's a fledgling-I can see from it's black beak that it's a male whose feathers are neat and don't have the fluffy appearance of fledgling blue tits in the garden.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Gwasshopper and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. There are no silly, or ridiculous questions here... none of us know everything, we learn something everyday.

Here is a link to our Opus article on the Common Kingfisher: Common Kingfisher - BirdForum Opus. You will see it tells us that their legs are grey (the adults feet and legs are orange). Hope this helps. Enjoy exploring more of Opus once you're in there.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Julie50]

Can you see the legs and/or feet? Bright orange when adult, dark grey/ black when juvenile

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[Gwasshopper]

Thank you so much everyone ! I see now that it's all in the legs, which I shall try and check soon after I've done a deep dive with the Kingfisher Opus

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, welcome to the forum. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola! Welcome to Birdforum

 

[Gwasshopper]

It is, or was, a young kingfisher no doubt trying to establish it's own territory. I watched it diving several times but sadly it appeared to be coming back empty beaked This is in an area of river that is gradually rewilding and is much cleaner than it used to be but it's still relatively inner city. I've got my fingers crossed for this kingfisher but haven't seen it for a while now