Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
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<birdfyi-bird slug="belted-kingfisher"></birdfyi-bird>About
The belted kingfisher is unusual in that the female is more colorful than the male, sporting an additional rufous belly band. These noisy birds announce their territory with a distinctive rattling call. They excavate nesting burrows up to 2.4 meters deep into riverbanks using their heavy bills.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 33.0 cm | 13.0 in |
| Wingspan | 53.0 cm | 20.9 in |
| Weight | 150.0 g | 5.29 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Blue-grey upperparts with a shaggy crest and a white collar. Males have a single blue-grey breast band; females have an additional rufous belly band.
Bill
Long, heavy, straight, dark dagger-like bill
Habitat & Range
Rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, estuaries, and coastlines with clear water and suitable perches. Nests in burrows dug into earthen banks.
Geographic Range
North America from Alaska and Canada to Central America and the Caribbean. Northern populations migrate south in winter.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily small fish caught by plunge-diving from a perch or hover. Also takes crayfish, frogs, and insects.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: BU. Incubation: 22-24 days. Fledging: 27-35 days.
Clutch Size
6-7
Sound
Song
A loud, rattling 'klee-klee-klee-klee' — mechanical and penetrating. Given in flight along rivers. Also a harsh 'kekekek' near nest. Far louder than Common Kingfisher.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers) |
| Family | Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) |
| Genus | Megaceryle |
| Species | Megaceryle alcyon |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Gürtelfischer |
| Spanish | Martín Pescador Norteamericano |
Distribution
Belted Kingfisher has been recorded in 5 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Belted Kingfisher eat?
Where does the Belted Kingfisher live?
Is the Belted Kingfisher endangered?
How does the Belted Kingfisher nest?
What does the Belted Kingfisher sound like?
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What order and family does the Belted Kingfisher belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Alcedinidae family