Woodpeckers, Doves & Other Land Birds
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
A big-headed, shaggy-crested bird that dives head-first into water for fish. It announces itself with a loud, rattling call as it flies along streams.
How to identify it
- Blue-gray back and big shaggy crest
- Long, heavy, dagger-like bill
- White collar and blue-gray breast band
- Female has an extra rusty band across the belly
- Loud, dry rattle call
SizeBetween an American Robin and an American Crow
Song Sparrow6 in
American Robin10 in
Belted Kingfisher13 in
American Crow19 in
6 inAverage length, bill to tail
Details
- Size
- 11–14 in long; wingspan 19–23 in
- Weight
- 4.9–6 oz
- Habitat
- Streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and coastlines
- When to see it
- Year-round across most of the US; summer in the far North
- Diet
- Small fish, crayfish, frogs
Range in the United States
Life history
Food
Dives head-first from a perch or hover to catch small fish; also eats crayfish, frogs and insects.
Nesting
A burrow dug into a dirt or sand bank, often 3–6 feet long.
- Clutch
- 5–8 eggs
- Incubation
- 22–24 days
- Young
- Fledge at about 4 weeks
- Broods
- 1 per year
Behavior
Rattles loudly when flying. Beats prey against a branch before swallowing it.
Conservation
Common but declining in some areas.
Cool facts
- It's one of the few North American birds where the female is more colorful than the male.
- Both parents dig the nest burrow using their bills and feet.
- It coughs up pellets of fish bones and scales.
Songs & calls
▶Bird sounds video coming soon
Watch the Belted Kingfisher
▶Video coming soon