Michael Warren: The Kingfisher

Artist: Michael Warren
1938 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 5.875 by 6.6 inches
Overall Size: 8 by 9.875 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

A brilliant, jewel-like bird with iridescent turquoise or blue plumage, the Kingfisher is often called the "flying gem." Perhaps nature gave the Kingfishers their gorgeous colors to help compensate for the fact that they are poor walkers and, when on the ground, they must move about in stiff little hops. Nature also gave this beautiful bird abundant patience, which it wisely uses when quietly perched for long periods of time above a stream or river. When they spot a fish or water insect, they swiftly plunge into the water, capturing the prey in their long, pointed beak. Love comes to the Kingfishers in the spring and, when a male decides on a female, he lets her know she's the chosen one by offering her a fish, holding it in his beak with his head pointed toward her. When the courtship is confirmed they build their nest together. This building requires a great deal of energy, for each of them must repeatedly fly toward a designated spot in the river bank and, with each hit, knock out small clumps of dirt until the nest is formed. The female lays six to eight eggs and, from their very first day of life, young Kingfishers require small fish to eat. For a while the father helps with the feeding of the young but then grows bored and stops. The Kingfisher is a widespread species which can be seen in Europe, Asia and Africa. But perhaps nowhere is this beautiful bird more appreciated than in England, where the Alcedinidae find favor with everyone.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Great Britain Westminster Collector's Society 10p Waterbird stamp issued January 16, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05771

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