Most people first notice the King Fisher swooping over streams and rivers with its rattling call. A beautiful bird, sporting a shaggy crest, blue-gray coloring above, white below and a very pointed bill. In addition, the female has a rufous band. When feeding, the King Fisher plunges headfirst into the water to spear small fish. Crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles are also part of its diet. Nesting requires both sexes to dig a horizontal (3′-6′) long chamber in the side of a very steep bank. Five to eight eggs are laid, incubated by male and female, with hatchlings emerging 22-24 days later. Migration to southwestern US, Mexico and further occurs, although some can still be found in northern areas with open water. (References: Audubon.org and Bird Watchers Digest.com)