belted kingfisher

1. Bird Name
The bird in this profile is the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon).

2. Appearance
The Belted Kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird with a distinctive large head and a shaggy crest. The upper part of its body is covered with a slate-blue shade, including its wings and tail, which also feature white spots or bands. Its underparts are white, featuring a blue band across its chest. More pronounced in the male, this band appears mixed with rufous color in the females, distinguishing them. The bird has a large, impressive bill which is slightly hooked and is used to catch fish, its primary diet. The bird’s eyes are dark, and it features short legs.

3. Size
The Belted Kingfisher generally measures between 28-35 centimeters (11-14 inches) in length. They have a wingspan of approximately 48-58 cm (19-23 inches) and a weight ranging from 113 to 178 grams (4 -6.3 ounces).

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Belted Kingfisher is found across North America, from Alaska and Canada, all the way down to the southern limits of the United States. It is commonly found near coastlines and bodies of water, including streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, estuaries, and marshes. During winters, it migrates to the southern U.S, Central America, the West Indies, and northern South America.

5. Interesting Facts
The Belted Kingfishers are known for their exceptional diving skills. They generally perch above the water, spotting fish, and then dive deeply to catch their prey. In Native American culture, particularly among the Northwest Coast tribes, the Belted Kingfisher is considered a symbol of prosperity, love, and peace.

6. Diet
The primary diet of the Belted Kingfisher consists of fish, although they have been known to eat aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, and occasionally small mammals and berries.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Belted Kingfishers are solitary birds, known for their loud and unruly behavior. Their call is characterized by a harsh, rattling sound that is typically short but can be strung together in an extended sequence. Their impressive flight pattern consists of steady, wingbeats punctuated by short glides. As far as nesting style goes, they dig tunnels in earthen banks, usually adjacent to water bodies.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Belted Kingfisher is currently categorized as of “Least Concern”. However, over time there has been a slight decline in their population likely due to habitat loss.

9. Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Belted Kingfisher is between 6-10 years in the wild.

10. Additional Notes
The Belted Kingfisher is an important part of ecosystems they inhabit as they help control fish and insect populations. Human interaction is usually limited, primarily due to their preference for habitats near water and often viewed from afar by birdwatchers. They are also known as “l’dodi” in the Navajo language translating to ‘the one who sits above’. While humans generally regard them as harmless, they can be slightly hazardous to fish populations in fish farms.