What Colour Is A Kingfisher?

Wonderful Observation

Kingfishers are one of our most vibrant birds, yet very difficult to see. Its always exciting to spot one as it flashes past along the river, or if you are very lucky to watch one perched on an overhanging branch. But what colour is a kingfisher? Of course it depends where and when  you see it but what colour is a kingfisher?

Blue and orange, yes! But which BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE  or ORANGE ORANGE ORANGE ORANGE ORANGE

Wonderful Investigation

If you were describing the kingfisher you had just watched, to someone on the phone who had never seen one, how would you describe the colours of a kingfisher? Think about other types of blue and different words for orange, or familiar things that are similar in colour.

How would you describe the different colours and patterns on the kingfisher’s head, cheek, back, wing and chest feathers ?

How many colours can you think of?  Please do send me your kingfisher colourful words.

Spoiler Alert!

Kingfisher feathers contain no blue pigment and are actually brown. They appear blue due to how, when light hits them, the structure of the feathers reflect only the  blue (& violet) light back to our eyes.