Meadow & Feather

Birds › Lake and wetland › Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Unusually, the female is more colorful than the male: she has an extra rusty band across her belly.

Where to see it for real: Needs clear water with small fish, and dirt banks to dig its nest tunnel.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the Lake and wetland habitat (North American lakes and marshes).

Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
Photo: iNaturalist user, CC0, via iNaturalist. Cut out from the original photo.

Belted Kingfisher facts

Family
Kingfishers
Length
12 in (31 cm)
Wingspan
21 in (53 cm)
Weight
5.3 oz (150 g)
Diet
Small fish, plus crayfish and frogs.
Range
All of North America; northern birds winter south to Central America.
Nest
A tunnel 1 to 2 m (3 to 6 ft) long dug into a dirt bank.
Song
A loud, dry rattle.
Active
by day
Status
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Belted Kingfisher sounds like

Recording 1: Doug Hynes, CC BY-SA 4.0, original on xeno-canto. Trimmed and cleaned of low background noise.
Recording 2: Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, original on xeno-canto. Trimmed and cleaned of low background noise.

More: bird songs and calls.

More birds of the lake and wetland

Great Blue HeronGreat Blue HeronLake and wetlandGreat EgretGreat EgretLake and wetlandGreen HeronGreen HeronLake and wetlandWood DuckWood DuckLake and wetlandMallardMallardLake and wetlandCanada GooseCanada GooseLake and wetland

Spot the Belted Kingfisher yourself

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