Belted Kingfisher vs Cockatiel
Megaceryle alcyon compared with Nymphicus hollandicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Belted Kingfisher | Cockatiel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megaceryle alcyon | Nymphicus hollandicus |
| Order | Coraciiformes | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae | Cacatuidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) |
| Wingspan | 53.0 cm (20.9 in) | 40.0 cm (15.7 in) |
| Weight | 150.0 g (5.29 oz) | 90.0 g (3.17 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily small fish caught by plunge-diving from a perch or hover. Also takes crayfish, frogs, … | Seeds, grain, berries, and plant material. Forages on the ground in open areas. In captivity, … |
| Clutch Size | 6-7 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Belted Kingfisher
Rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, estuaries, and coastlines with clear water and suitable perches. Nests in burrows dug into earthen banks.
Cockatiel
Open arid and semi-arid habitats including scrubland, farmland, and woodland near water in Australia.
Song & Call Comparison
Belted Kingfisher
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.
Cockatiel
A loud, whistled 'weet' or 'weeeet'. Males whistle a melodic series; contact call is a high nasal 'ny'. Capable of mimicry in captivity. Song is relatively simple but pleasant.
Geographic Range & Migration
Belted Kingfisher
North America from Alaska and Canada to Central America and the Caribbean. Northern populations migrate south in winter.
Cockatiel
Interior of Australia, generally avoiding coastal areas. The second most popular pet bird worldwide.
Conservation Status
Belted Kingfisher
Cockatiel
How to Tell Them Apart
Belted Kingfisher
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.
Long, heavy, straight, dark dagger-like bill
Cockatiel
Wild-type males are grey with white wing patches, a yellow face, and bright orange cheek patches. Females are duller with barred tail undersides. Many captive color mutations exist.
Short, curved, grey bill
About These Birds
Belted Kingfisher
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.
Cockatiel
The cockatiel is the smallest member of the cockatoo family and one of the most popular pet birds globally. These gentle, intelligent parrots can learn to whistle tunes and mimic sounds. Wild cockatiels are nomadic, traveling in flocks following food and water availability across the Australian outback.