Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Unlike many birds, the female Belted Kingfisher is more brightly colored than the male, sporting an extra rusty-colored 'belt' across her belly.

Scientific name

Megaceryle alcyon

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Coraciiformes › Alcedinidae › Megaceryle

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

decreasing

Biome

wetland

Habitat

Edges of streams, lakes, rivers, and coastal estuaries with vertical earthen banks for nesting.

Diet

Carnivorous; primarily small fish, but also crayfish, aquatic insects, and occasionally small amphibians.

Range

North America, Central America, Caribbean

Size

28-35 cm length, 48-58 cm wingspan

Lifespan

6-14 years

Active

diurnal

Threats

Habitat destruction, water pollution reducing prey visibility, and disturbance of nesting banks by human activity.

Safe to approach?

Harmless and shy. Belted Kingfishers will typically fly away if humans approach too closely. Observe from a distance with binoculars to avoid disrupting their hunting or nesting. If you find a grounded or injured bird, contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator; do not attempt to keep it as a pet.

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 subfamilies.

Photo: chloe ⋆˚꩜｡, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist

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