January 23, 2026

I am a male Belted Kingfisher

If I was female, my belt would be rusty

We are monogamous, but just for one season 

I feed her treats to let her know when I feel lusty.

Location: TM Goodwin WMA, Broadmore Unit

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

September 19, 2025

I am a female Belted Kingfisher

Kingfishers have been in Florida for a long time

In Alachua County, a fossil dated 2 million years old

Was found to be an ancestor of mine.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/overview

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

November 30, 2021

I am a Belted Kingfisher

I need water near a vertical dirt patch

To build a burrow where I can nest

And protect my babies after they hatch.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Megaceryle_alcyon/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 2, 2021

I am known as a Belted Kingfisher, 

When I was young, I processed bones in my acidic tummy

By the time I fledged, this acid went away

And I started regurgitating just like my mummy.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Headwaters Boat Ramp

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/overview

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 18, 2021

I am a Belted Kingfisher

My mate and I are cavity nesters

We each have 2 fused toes that we use to dig

A burrow where us and our eggs, then babies, sequester.

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Megaceryle_alcyon/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 31, 2020

I am a female Belted Kingfisher,

I have a chestnut band across my tummy

Scientist don't know why I have this band -

The issue requires more study.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-do-female-belted-kingfishers-have-an-extra-rust-colored-belt-that-the-males-dont-have/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 21, 2019

Location: Titusville, Chain of Lakes Park

The time has come, the Kingfisher said
To speak of many things.
Of Shrikes and birds and aeroplanes
And other stuff with wings...

Sources: The Poetry Foundation - The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 5, 2017

Location: Cocoa, Publix parking lot

I'm a Belted Kingfisher,
I'm known as an energetic flyer.
But with my short, stocky body and spiky hair,
I look like Bart Simpson when I sit on a wire.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Belted Kingfisher

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson