Belted Kingfisher vs Superb Fairywren
Megaceryle alcyon compared with Malurus cyaneus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Belted Kingfisher | Superb Fairywren |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megaceryle alcyon | Malurus cyaneus |
| Order | Coraciiformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae | Maluridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | 14.0 cm (5.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 53.0 cm (20.9 in) | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) |
| Weight | 150.0 g (5.29 oz) | 10.0 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily small fish caught by plunge-diving from a perch or hover. Also takes crayfish, frogs, … | Primarily insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from low vegetation. Also takes seeds and small … |
| Clutch Size | 6-7 | 2-4 |
| 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.
Superb Fairywren
Dense undergrowth in eucalyptus woodland, gardens, parks, and heath throughout southeastern 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.
Superb Fairywren
An extremely complex, melodic song: a long series of trills and warbles delivered rapidly. Males sing throughout the day. Alarm is a sharp 'tseet'. Among Australia's finest singers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Belted Kingfisher
North America from Alaska and Canada to Central America and the Caribbean. Northern populations migrate south in winter.
Superb Fairywren
Southeastern Australia from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, to South Australia and Tasmania.
Conservation Status
Belted Kingfisher
Superb Fairywren
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
Superb Fairywren
Breeding males have a brilliant violet-blue crown, ear coverts, and mantle with a black throat band. Non-breeding males and females are plain brown with a blue tail.
Fine, pointed, dark 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.
Superb Fairywren
The superb fairywren is one of Australia's most beloved and recognizable birds, with breeding males dressed in spectacular violet-blue plumage. These tiny birds live in cooperative family groups where helpers assist the breeding pair in raising young. Males pluck and present yellow flower petals to females as part of courtship.