Order: Coraciiformes, Family: Alcedinidae
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
A stocky, medium-sized waterbird with a large, heavy, pointed black bill, a top-heavy appearance due to its ragged crest, and short legs. It is typically seen perched near water or flying rapidly while giving a loud, rattling call.
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Plumage & appearance
Blue-gray upperparts and head with a prominent ragged crest. White collar around the neck. A blue-gray breast band. Females are more colorful than males, featuring an additional rusty-cinnamon belly band and flanks below the gray breast band.
Key field marks
Ragged crest, heavy straight black bill, blue-gray upperparts, white collar, and the distinctive breast band (with a rusty belly band on females).
Size & weight
Length: 28-35 cm (11-14 in), Wingspan: 48-58 cm (19-23 in), Weight: 140-170 g (4.9-6.0 oz)
Voice — call & song
A loud, harsh, mechanical rattling call that sounds like a spinning reel or a wooden rattle, often given in flight.
Diet & foraging
Primarily small fish, but also consumes aquatic insects, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and occasionally berries. Forages by plunge-diving headfirst into water from a perch or hover.
Habitat
Found near bodies of water including lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, estuaries, and marine coasts.
Migration & movement
Partial migrant. Birds breeding in the northern parts of the range migrate south for the winter, while those in temperate areas are year-round residents.
Nesting & breeding
Excavates a horizontal tunnel up to several feet long in a vertical dirt or sandy bank, usually near water. Lays 5 to 8 white eggs at the end of the burrow. Both parents incubate and feed the young.
Similar species
In North America, it is the only common kingfisher over most of its range. The Amazon Kingfisher and Green Kingfisher are much smaller and found mostly in Central/South America or extreme southern Texas.
Ecological significance
Acts as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem health and helps regulate small fish populations in freshwater and marine habitats.
Conservation status
Least Concern, with stable to slightly declining populations.
Observation tips
Look for them perched on bare branches, utility wires, or docks overhanging water. They are easily spooked, so approach slowly using binoculars or a telephoto lens from a distance.
Interesting facts
Unlike many songbirds where males are more brightly colored, female Belted Kingfishers are more vibrantly colored than males. They fly quite fast and are famous for hovering briefly over the water before plunging in to catch prey.
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