Bird of the Day, theme 'Kingfisher Quest'

natureAug 27, 20261083,873

Bird of the Day is a daily community event with today’s main prompt NaturalSeeds, and an alternate theme called Kingfisher Quest asking for any kingfisher species. The gallery mixes close-up seed-feeding shots and kingfisher portraits, with many contributors sharing field photos and hide-shot captures. Look for a Goldfinch with knapweed seeds stuck to its beak, a Sacred Kingfisher photographed at Dowse Lagoon, and a belted kingfisher perched on a tree root taken from a small boat. Other notable entries include a smiling kookaburra close-up and an Azure Kingfisher framed as part of the alternate #KingfisherQuest theme.

Helen Bennett 🌿

@helenbennett.bsky.social

For today’s #BirdOfTheDay share your best shots of birds snacking on #NaturalSeeds straight from the plant, crop, or tree - no cheating with feeders please! ☺️ Here's a Goldfinch that was feeding on Knapweed seeds, a few still stuck to his beak! 💛 📷 🪶 Alt: #KingfisherQuest Any Kingfisher species! 🫶

A photograph of a European Goldfinch that is surrounded by and perched on a delicate, dry stem of Knapweed wildflower where he has been eating the seeds from the dried bulbous seed capsules. The Goldfinch is facing toward to the left side of the frame against a soft, blurred background. The bird is small and brightly coloured. It features a distinctive crimson-red face patch surrounding its pale bill, bordered by a stark white band on its cheeks and a black crown and nape. Its back and flanks are a warm, sandy brown, blending into a pale white belly. The wings are mostly black, dramatically marked with a vibrant, broad golden-yellow stripe across the middle and neat white spots at the tips of the flight feathers. Its dark tail is slightly notched and also tipped with white. The background consists of a highly defocused, muted palette of buff, greys, and faint hints of green, creating a shallow depth of field that makes the bird's sharp details and vivid colours stand out prominently. Image taken in UK, copyright Helen Bennett

3349h ago

Atlantic Birding3

Great shot Helen. And great themes. Looking forward to seeing Alan’s Kingfisher!!!! 😉

Ed Foster.2

A Goldfinch feeding on seeds from a meadow thistle

Graham Jones1

Very nice Helen and, without wishing to carp, I'd point out that many of us everyday bird watchers do so in gardens. I shall probably sit it out today and instead enjoy the wonderful high-quality images that you birders post. I know. I should get out more. I will. Not everyone can. 😁

Mark D Alexander1

Beautiful photograph Helen, happy Thursday to you, have a lovely day 🪶🌿☀️👋

SaraG1

Beautiful capture of a beautiful bird. Thanks for hosting, Helen!

Rina1

Good morning dear Helen ☕️🤗 Beautiful photo and themes. Thank you very much 🙏🫶

JBC

@johnbcaddell.bsky.social

a Steller's Jay perched on a branch in the #Woodland setting that is Lake Tahoe, CA for #BirdOfTheDay #birds #jays

a Steller's Jay perched on a pine tree branch

30110h ago

Viktoriay Yakimush 1

What a beautiful bird 🐦

dapost-7.bsky.social1

Great photo , such a chatty bird .

alisonwillis1.bsky.social

@alisonwillis1.bsky.social

The joy of a Kingfisher perched right in front of a hide at Tophill Low. For Helen's alt theme of #KingfisherQuest #BirdOfTheDay #ECK #BirdsOfBluesky #Nature #CasualPhotography 🪶📷

A close-up shot of a common kingfisher perched on a rough, mossy wooden post. The bird faces left, showing its long, sharp beak and dark teal head covered in pale blue speckles. Its back features a striking, vibrant stripe of iridescent electric-blue feathers that runs down to its tail. The background is a soft, out-of-focus gray, highlighting the bird's vivid colors.

2508h ago

whiteswinous.bsky.social2

Tophill Low. What a beautiful name.

Sophie1

I love Kingfishers. They always look a little off-balance to me because of the big beaks and short tail feathers. 🤭

Jean D.1

Beautiful, looks like a waterfall coming down his back

fenraven

@fenraven.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay ALT theme is #KingfisherQuest, any of the species. These birds are tiny, and this one was VERY far away, across the lake. I'm amazed I got this half-decent shot of it. #birds #ECK #kingfishers

Sony a6400, Sigma 150-600mm lens, f/8, 1/2500s, ISO-1600, 600mm.

2026h ago

Alan H

@alan678.bsky.social

Good morning, Helen’s #BirdOfTheDay, I’m going with birds snacking on #NaturalSeeds straight from the plant, crop, or tree - no cheating with feeders please! I so wanted to cheat with a Jay who “ randomly” found some seed that had fallen out of a pocket but no. 😂 #birds #photography #ECK

A female House Sparrow perched among the branches of a flowering bush, holding a small seed from the plant in her beak. Her warm brown plumage and subtle markings are clearly visible in the sunlight, with fresh green leaves and pale dried flower heads surrounding her against a softly blurred green background.

1877h ago

alisonwillis1.bsky.social1

😂 Bravo for admitting to having been tempted! We have a feeding station close to a woodland near us!!! Beautiful capture.

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

😂we all know what birders are doing for the shot Alan😅 Gorgeous photo and moment so as always dear friend 🤗😘

AnnaLois1

That's a bird with a determined stare. Proper sweet though 😊

Rina1

Beautiful capture of a lovely bird , Alan 😍😍 so good 👌👌

Neil Cameron1

Why would you cheat when you have a pic that lovely. Yes yes we're away of you Jay obsession. And you should know that they've lodged a complaint about it.

Glynis R1

Always enjoy your colours Alan!

Rina

@rina2012.bsky.social

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay is #NaturalSeeds straight from the plant, crop or tree – no cheating with feeders, Alt: #KingfisherQuest I'm going with a Goldfinch eating some seeds. #birds #BirdsSeenIn2026 #Germany #wildlife #photography #nature #thelittlethings #ECK

1267h ago

Alan H1

Just perfect Rina. So tough to get a good shot when the light behind is brighter. Well done. 👏🏼 🫶🏼

Helen Bennett 🌿1

Lovely shot Rina... the Goldfinch looks like he is enjoying those seeds! 🫶💛

Dave Meredith

@davemeredith.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #NaturalSeeds. A male Eurasian Bullfinch chowing down on some fresh grass seeds in a hay field. #Cheshire #ECK #photography #birds #nature #wildlife #Kodachrome #1980s #ManualFocusPrimeLens

A pink, grey and black male Eurasian Bullfinch surrounded by grass seed heads eating grass seeds.

1225h ago

Helen Bennett 🌿1

That's a lovely capture Dave 👍 I've been hearing quite a few bullfinches around home recently, they are beautiful birds

Dave Meredith1

This was also supposed to be a #ThrowbackThursday post.

Atlantic Birding

@atlanticbirding.bsky.social

🪶 Helen has chosen #NaturalSeeds as today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme, birds eating seeds found naturally. Alt. is #KingfisherQuest, shots of Kingfishers. Here’s a male House Sparrow feasting on dandelion seeds in the grass. #birdphotography #ECK #birds #photography #birdsofbluesky #nature

A Male House Sparrow in the grass, eating dandelion seeds. The bird is close up, in the centre of the frame with its back turned to the camera so that its tail, back, back of head and right side are visible.
The bird has a grey crown with chestnut brown at the sides and nape and grey cheeks. Its bill is black with black feathers around it. It back and wings are brown with black/brown streaks. Its underbelly is a light grey.
Dandelion seeds can be seen in its bill. It is standing in short grass, which takes up the rest of the frame, dotted with the odd daisy or dandelion flower here and there.

1088h ago

Alan H2

Great shot AB. Perfect. 🤩

Helen Bennett 🌿2

Lovely photo AB... I rarely see House Sparrows here. Thanks for the detailed Alt text, too 👍😊

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Good morning AB that is a lovely photo✨️✨️

Neil Cameron1

Lovely shot, of such a common bird, AB.

Doug Engstrom1

Wonderful detail in that shot.

jen 💙🤍🕊️

@jenzsky.bsky.social

Proudly perched, a regal presence.. #Birdoftheday #kingfisherquest #birdphotography #melbourne #nature #photographersunited #photographersofbluesky #eck

1058h ago

Sharon1

Lovely bird Jen. I go to a place here, Oxford Island Nature Reserve. Bird watchers there sit patiently waiting for a sighting and they sometimes get annoyed because I’m at the water’s edge to see the sunset 😁 Lovely shot Jen 👌

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Good evening dear Jen, that is a gorgeous kingfisher in this beautiful light 😍❤️

Neil Cameron1

I just realised all us Orstralians could also just post Kookaburra pics and meet the theme... But, like you, I boringly played the game and posted a bird called a kingfisher. 🤪😁🤣

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸1

Look at that catchlight in the eye. Perfect!

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

A real beauty. Great photo, jen. 😍

𝙲𝚎𝚟𝚊𝚝 ☮️1

It’s great to see another beautiful photo from you, Jen! Have a wonderful Thursday. 💙🕊️

Melinda B Hipple, author&artist

@melindabhipple.bsky.social

Watched this female goldfinch and her mate working over a patch of ragged coneflowers at the end of their season. #BirdOfTheDay #NaturalSeeds #ECK #photography #wildlife

A female goldfinch is standing on the head of a coneflower while bending her head to dig out the seeds. The background is soft focus greenery.

987h ago

Helen Bennett 🌿1

Lovely photo, Melinda.... she is beautiful ✨️💛

Neil Cameron1

What a lovely shot, Melinda!

Doug Engstrom1

Like she knows there's one more chip in the box...😀

Amy Gann

@amygann.bsky.social

Cranes of the Corn. For the #birdoftheday theme of #naturalseeds #birds #sandhillcrane #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Sandhill cranes in a field of grain grown to feed the migrating birds. Behind them, mountains are in the distance

846h ago

Helen Bennett 🌿2

Love this photo Amy! 👌 It is beautiful seeing the Cranes in the natural environment and it's wonderful that the grains are grown especially for the migrating birds! 😊

Barrie Cull1

What a lovely capture ! Well done Amy 👏

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

A field of birds. I really like this photo. Well done, Amy. 👌🫶

LaffingKat1

🤣We are heading into spooky season, so that seems appropriate!

catslovedogs1

Beautiful shot! It's a great image, how they're all looking in different directions...possibly to detect predators? Also, my second thought (after How cool!) was...Great title...has to be referencing King and Children of the Corn. 😆

Peter Barnes

@infinite8horizon.com

Helen's #BirdOfTheDay Alt theme is #KingfisherQuest Sacred kingfisher, Dowse Lagoon #photography #birds #kingfisher #nature #wildlife #gift #ECK

817h ago

Helen Bennett 🌿1

Wow!! Incredible capture Peter... so beautiful 👏💙

Doug Engstrom1

Wow, that is an amazing shot.

The Garden Jungle

@thegardenjungle.bsky.social

#NaturalSeeds is for todays #BirdOfTheDay, so here is a Bullfinch with a full beak from what I remember as possibly a Birch tree #birds #thegardenjungle #wildlifephotography #birdwatching #shropshire #UKwildlife #birdphotography #canon #photography

847h ago

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸

@tarasmithson.bsky.social

Kookaburra close up. 📷🐦 Smiling more than Laughing (Kookaburra) on this day. 😏 🖼️ #KingfisherQuest #BirdOfTheDay #Nature #NaturePhotography #kookaburra #Australia #Wildlife

696h ago

Rina1

Oh my 🥰 Great shot, Tara 👌

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

Wonderful, Tara. 👍 I was thinking of posting one of mine. They are a favourite of mine.

Fraggs Photography 📸🦊🦉🦋🦔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@fraggenstein.bsky.social

Today I'm going with the Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme which is #KingfisherQuest Any Kingfisher species! - a little different this one with a Kingfisher expelling a food pellet of indigestible food remains - photo taken a Forest Farm NR - Cardiff - South Wales 🪶🦉 #birdingwales #ukbirding #ECK

546h ago

Bird of the Day, theme 'Kingfisher Quest'nature

Bird of the Day, theme 'Kingfisher Quest'

Related