Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Ceryle alcyon
(Alcedinidae)

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13 inches long. The Belted Kingfisher is a large, short-legged, big-headed and big-billed bird that looks like a big Blue Jay. The back and upperwing are blue with small white spots. The tail is slate-blue with many dark and light bands. There is a slate-blue head with white spots near the lores and a large double crest. It has a white chin, throat, and neck. and a slate-blue breastband. The male has an entirely white belly and a slate-blue breastband. The female has two breastbands and rufous flanks. The upper band is dark blue with some occasional red spotting and the lower one is rufous band.

 

The Belted Kingfisher is common year round resident that sometimes leaves the area in the winter.

 

The Belted Kingfisher hovers over the water and dives headfirst into the water to catch fish. It inhabits diverse aquatic habitats where it typically perches over clear open water before diving for prey. The Belted Kingfisher usually migrates but may occasionally overwinter if there is open water is available. It is a solitary bird except while breeding. This kingfisher prefers to excavate a nesting burrow near its fishing territory, raising a single brood annually. The call is a bold raspy rattle that is given at the slightest disturbance and you are likely to hear the bird before you see it.

 

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