Bird · GBIF taxon 2475472
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyonAlso known as North American Kingfisher
Belted kingfishers patrol North American waterways, scanning for fish from high branches before plunging headfirst into the water with precision. Unusually for birds, females display brighter coloration than males, sporting a warm rust-colored band across their bellies in addition to the slate-blue chest belt. Their nest sites consist of long burrows excavated directly into dirt riverbanks, often ending in a round nesting chamber.
PiscivoreCavity NesterVocal
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Minnows
- Crayfish
- Tadpoles
Predators
- Cooper's Hawk
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Peregrine Falcon
ThreatsHabitat loss, shoreline development, pollution, and burrow disturbance
HabitatsRivers, streams, lakes, ponds, estuaries, and coastal bays
Life span6–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAlcedinidae
- SpeciesMegaceryle alcyon
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Locate them by their loud, machine-gun-like rattling chatter along forested water edges.
- Scan High Perches: Look for their distinct crested profile on snags, wires, and branches overhanging water.
- Keep Distance: Maintain a respectful distance as they are easily spooked from their favorite hunting spots.
Taxonomic Kin (c) Ricard Busquets Reverte, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Ecological Counterpart (c) Koshy Koshy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Christoph Moning, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christoph Moning · cc-by
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