Bird · GBIF taxon 2475486
Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americanaAlso known as Texas Green Kingfisher, American Green Kingfisher
Green kingfishers patrol shady streambanks, low-hanging river branches, and quiet irrigation canals across the Neotropics and southern borderlands. They hunt by perching motionless near the water surface before plunging headfirst to snatch small fish and aquatic insects. Unlike their larger relatives, these compact birds fly low along the water with rapid wingbeats and give a subtle, rhythmic call resembling two pebbles clicking together.
PiscivoreRiparianNeotropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Minnows
- Water beetles
- Tadpoles
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Large fish
ThreatsHabitat loss, water pollution, and removal of riparian vegetation
HabitatsShaded streams, slow-moving rivers, ponds, and mangroves
Life span5 to 10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAlcedinidae
- SpeciesChloroceryle americana
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: Watch for a faint pebble-clicking sound along shaded riverbanks.
- Scan Low Perches: Look for perches near the water surface rather than high canopy branches.
- Maintain Distance: Avoid disturbing perches along small streams to observe natural feeding dives.
Frequent Companion (c) Christoph Moning, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christoph Moning · cc-by
Ecological Counterpart (c) chloe ⋆˚꩜｡, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by chloe ⋆˚꩜｡ · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Lip Kee Yap, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
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