Fauna
Bird

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Also known as Amazonian Kingfisher

Amazon kingfishers are robust water kingfishers that perch low over calm streams, rivers, and mangrove swamps, watching motionless for movement in the water below. Once prey is spotted, they plunge headfirst into the stream, seizing small fish before returning to a favorite branch to beat and swallow their catch. Males display a striking deep chestnut breast band, whereas females feature a clear white chest with green spots along the sides.

PiscivoreTropicalRiverside
Amazon Kingfisher reference1 / 7
(c) Lip Kee Yap, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySmall fish, Freshwater crabs, Aquatic insects
Predators
  • Hawks
  • Falcons
  • Arboreal snakes
ThreatsDeforestation, water pollution, wetland degradation
HabitatsLowland rivers, forested streams, mangrove swamps, lake margins
Life span6–10 years
Classification
  1. FamilyAlcedinidae
  2. SpeciesChloroceryle amazona
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observing: Scan exposed, low-hanging branches over shaded riverbanks where individuals sit motionless.
  • Audio Identification: Listen for a harsh, loud clicking call or a dry rattling sound emitted when flushed.
  • Distance: Maintain a respectful distance along waterways to avoid disturbing perched birds.
Related species
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