ITS a GIRL!!

When a tiny baby bird came to us at REGI on June 15, 2009 we knew it was a few day old Belted Kingfisher. We had no idea of the gender. Birds are funny that way. They have no external hints as to if it is a male or a female. In fact, they hide their gender so well that if there is no feather coloration differences it takes either DNA sampling or a veterinarian to do laparoscopy surgery to investigate the internal sex organs. We don't usually need to know a patients gender that badly, so don't get knotted up about finding out one way or another.

It happens that belted kingfishers DO have a color difference. So, we are proud to announce that our little Belted Kingfisher is a female! Check out her emerging rusty chest feathers that will soon look like a rusty red necklace on a field of white. She is about ten or eleven days old today.

We realize she is not adorable yet, but that will be coming soon. She is eating minnows and a slush of other good things including vitamins and digestive enzymes to keep her healthy. Nutrition is complicated and a very important part of raising a baby bird to adulthood.

( Photos: The day the Belted Kingfisher chick was rescued by a trucker from a landfill near Wisconsin Rapids and today. She is a female and about 10 days old today.)

She wakes up only once a night now and then early A.M. That makes her an easy baby to care for so I am personally a fan of her sleep pattern!

Best to all,

Marge Gibson 2009