Belted kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, the only member of that group commonly found in the northern United States and Canada. It is depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $5 note. All kingfishers were formerly placed in one family, Alcedinidae, but recent research suggests that this should be divided into three. All six American kingfishers, together with three Old World species, make up the new family Cerylidae.
Picture of the Belted kingfisher has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution.
Original source: Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
Author: Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA (en:User:Kevinlcole)
The Belted kingfisher is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, the only member of that group commonly found in the northern United States and Canada. It is depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $5 note. All kingfishers were formerly placed in one family, Alcedinidae, but recent research suggests that this should be divided into three. All six American kingfishers, together with three Old World species, make up the new family Cerylidae. More
The Belted Kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird that measures between 28–35 cm (11–14 in) in length with a wingspan of between 48–58 cm (19–23 in). Birds usually weigh 140–170 g (4.9–6 oz). This species has a large head with a shaggy crest. Its long, heavy bill is black with a grey base. This kingfisher shows reverse sexual dimorphism, with the female more brightly coloured than the male. More
Belted Kingfisher Range MapView dynamic map of eBird sightings Field MarksHelp - * MalePopOutZoom In Male * © Marie Read * FemalePopOutZoom In Female * © Isidor Jeklin / CLO Similar Species - * Blue Jay is More
The Belted Kingfisher has a range that is large, reaching up to 14 million square kilometers. The population of the Belted Kingfisher is thought to be more than 2 million individual birds. The Belted Kingfisher can be found in many countries in the Caribbean, Central America and North America. The population of the Belted Kingfisher has not significantly decreased in the last ten years. As a result, this bird has a current rating of Least Concern. More
Find belted kingfisher information at Animal Diversity Web Belted kingfisher = Megaceryle alcyon What do they look like? - Mass 140 to 170 g (4.93 to 5.98 oz) Length 28 to 35 cm (11.02 to 13.78 in) Belted kingfishers are medium-sized, stocky birds. More
* Belted Kingfisher and Great Blue Heron catch a fish.3:51 * Ajouter à la file d'attente Ajoutée à la file d'attente Belted Kingfisher and Great Blue Heron catch a... More
North American RangeThe Belted Kingfisher is a medium-sized, stocky bird with a large, crested head, and a long, solid bill. The bird has a small white spot by each eye, at the base of the bill. Its back is an overall slate blue color. The white belly is transected by a slate blue band, topped with a white collar. The female has an additional rufous band and rufous coloring on the sides of the belly. More
Belted Kingfisher Women's Long Sleeve Dark T's Property of a Belted Kingfish T's Dog T's £14 Property of a Belted Kingfish Dog T's Obey the Belted Kingfisher T's Dog T's £14 Obey the Belted Kingfisher Dog T's Grow up - Belted Kingfisher Jr. Ringer T-Shirt £20 Grow up - Belted Kingfisher Jr. More
Belted Kingfishers Dive for Fish = Blue-Grey Birds Excavate Deep Burrow in Sand Banks for Nesting - Share Article | Mar 30, 2010 Kathleen Airdrie The unique Belted Kingfisher is a blue-grey conspicuous bird that delivers a loud, harsh rattling call as it flies swiftly over calm waters seeking food. More
Belted Kingfisher The Belted Kingfisher lives most of the year as a loner, except for the mating and nesting season. During this time, a mated pair will work together as a team during nest constuction, incubation, and raising their young. Description - Measuring 11 to 14 inches in length. Blue-gray above and on head. Noticeable crested head. The male has a blue-gray band across the breast. More
The Belted Kingfisher!-Now, kind reader, were I infected with the desire of giving new names to well-known objects, you may be assured that, notwithstanding the partly appropriate name given to this bird, I should call it, as I think it ought to have been called, the United States' King-fisher. My reason for this will, I hope, become apparent to you, when I say that it is the only bird of its genus found upon the inland streams of the Union. More
Belted Kingfishers are large birds found along the shores of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and marshes. Slightly larger than a pigeon, they can grow up to 13 inches long. They are bluish-gray above, with a white belly and a white ring around the neck. Males have a bluish-gray breastband and females have a chestnut-colored bellyband to go along with the breastband. Kingfishers have a a large crest. Their bill is very long a sharp. More
The nest of the belted kingfisher is a long tunnel and often slopes uphill. One possible reason for the uphill slope is in the case of flooding the chicks will be able to survive in the air pocket formed by the elevated end of the tunnel. Diet / Feeding: The Belted Kingfisher is often seen perched prominently on trees, posts, or other suitable "watchpoints" close to water before plunging in head first after its fish prey. More
Belted kingfishers are one of the most widely distributed birds in North America. In Ohio, the kingfisher can be found year round with the availability of open, fish-occupied waters. Belted kingfishers can often be seen perching or hovering over water in search of its primary prey, small fish. Once a kingfisher locates a small fish it dives head first vertically or at an angle for the water, aiming right for the prey. More
Belted KingfisherThe Belted Kingfisher is a common bird seen near the water. It is about 28-35 cm (11-14 in) long, with a wingspan of 48-58 cm (19-23 in) and a weight of 140-170 grams. A medium sized bird, it has a large head with a distinctive shaggy crest. Its bill is thick and large. The Belted Kingfisher has a dark blue head and back while its throat and collar are white. More
Belted Kingfishers, as their name suggests, subsist mostly on fish. However, they occasionally consume other prey, including crayfish, shellfish, squid, and terrestrial prey such as small birds, mammals, lizards, and insects. They have even been reported to eat berries when other food is unavailable. Belted Kingfishers typically sit at a waterside perch watching for suitable prey, usually small fish less than six inches in length. They make steep dives head-first into the water. More
Belted KingfisherMegaceryle alcyon Order CORACIIFORMES – Family ALCEDINIDAE Issue No. 084 – Revised: January 27, 2009 Authors: Hamas, Michael J. Revisors: Kelly, Jeffrey F., and Eli S. Bridge * Articles * Multimedia * References Courtesy Preview This Introductory article that you are viewing is a courtesy preview of the full life history account of this species. More
Belted kingfishers can be found in Alabama almost anywhere there is water and a source of fish. LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY: Kingfishers are loud, showy birds that are seldom confused with other species. Most people enjoy watching kingfishers because of their gregarious, almost comical nature and appearance. Individual birds may be loyal to a regular area along a streambank or lakeshore, and often jealously patrol this area using the same series of perches. More
-The nest of the belted kingfisher is almost invariably in a burrow in a sandy, clay, or gravelly bank, excavated by the birds themselves. The site chosen is preferably near water and as near the favorite fishing grounds of the birds as a suitable bank can be found. More
The Belted Kingfisher occurs in every U.S. state except Hawaii, and is widespread in Canada, Mexico, and Central America as well. The oldest fossil record for a kingfisher in North America was found in Florida, and was of a species that is today extinct, and not a Belted Kingfisher. While Belted Kingfishers eat a wide variety of items including crayfish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects, small fish are the kingfisher's main food source. More
Unlike most species, it is the females belted kingfisher that is conspicuously colored instead of the male. More
Belted KingfisherBy Glenn Nelson, Education Coordinator While fishing or hiking along ponds or streams, park visitors are often startled by a rattling call and flitting flight. Belted Kingfisher"What bird is this?" It More
Description - This pigeon sized bird, the belted kingfisher is blue-grey above and white below with a bushy crest and dagger-like bill. The male has a blue-grey breast band; the female is similar but also has a chestnut belly band. The call is a loud, penetrating rattle. Distribution - The belted kingfisher breeds from Alaska east across southern Canada and throughout most of the U.S.A. They winter on the Pacific coast north to Alaska. They inhabit rivers, lakes and saltwater estuaries. More
Belted Kingfisher Information Length: 13" Habitat: Edges of ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal bays; road cuts and gravel pits near clear, open water. Requires perches above water for spotting prey. During breeding season, requires exposed dirt banks for nest sites. Diet: Small fish (staple), amphibians, reptiles, crayfish, mollusks, insects, small mammals. Occasionally, wild fruits. More
Belted Kingfisher is by far the most widespread, occurring near water bodies from coast to coast. While both male and female are flashy, conspicuous birds, the female Belted Kingfisher is actually more colorful than the male, a highly unusual trait in the avian world. Range & Distribution The Belted Kingfisher is found either seasonally or year-round across nearly all of North and Central America. To the north, it is found in spring and summer throughout most of Canada and Alaska. More
The Belted Kingfisher has blue-gray upperparts, a blue-gray breast band, a long, heavy, spear-like bill, and a shaggy crest. Male has white belly. Belted Kingfisher Female - Similar to male but with reddish belly band. female belted kingfisher Seasonal change in appearance - None. More
Description - The Belted Kingfisher is the only kingfisher commonly found north of the desert southwest. It is unusual among bird species in that the female is more brightly colored than the male. The kingfisher is often heard before it is seen, as its loud rattling call betrays its presence. Kingfisher nests are built like burrows, often into the side of a muddy embankment. The male Belted Kingfisher measures about 13 inches in length. It has a shaggy, conspicuous blue-gray crest. More
The Belted Kingfisher is one of only a few species in which the female is more brightly colored than the male. Female kingfisher held by researcher The Kingfishers belong to an order of birds known as CORACIIFORMES. More
Genus : Megaceryle
Species : alcyon
Authority : (Linnaeus, 1758)
Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)