Kingfishers are vibrantly colored birds in the family Alcedinidae that are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are famous for their spectacular diving ability to catch fish and other aquatic prey. There are over 90 different species of kingfishers found throughout the world, but only one species, the belted kingfisher, is native to North America.
What kingfisher species are found in the USA?
The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is the only kingfisher species naturally found in the United States and Canada. It is a medium-sized kingfisher with a large head, long beak, shaggy crest, and bright blue-gray plumage on its head, wings, and tail. The female belted kingfisher has a rusty band across her belly, which gives the bird its name. The male does not have this chest band.
Belted kingfishers are found near waterbodies across most of North America from the tree line in Alaska and Canada south to Panama. In the USA, they can be found year-round near lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, estuaries, and coastlines from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans and the Gulf Coast. Belted kingfishers inhabit both freshwater and saltwater habitats. They are commonly seen perched on branches, poles, wires, or other perches near the water’s edge before plunging into the water after prey.
Range map of the belted kingfisher in North America
Here is a range map showing the year-round and breeding distribution of the belted kingfisher across North America:
Image source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
What do kingfishers eat?
Belted kingfishers feed almost entirely on aquatic animals. Their diet is dominated by fish, but they also eat crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and sometimes small mammals and birds.
They capture prey by diving headfirst into the water from perches or hovering flight. Kingfishers can dive up to 3-4 meters deep to catch fish near the bottom. Their excellent eyesight allows them to detect prey through refractive distortion of the water. Kingfishers also use their bill to probe into mud or turn over debris to uncover hidden prey.
Common prey species
Some of the most common prey species of belted kingfishers in North America include:
- Small fish – minnows, sticklebacks, killifish, and juvenile game fish
- Crayfish
- Frogs and salamanders
- Aquatic insects – dragonfly larvae, caddisflies
- Mice, voles, shrews
Kingfishers usually swallow their prey whole while perched. They regurgitate indigestible parts like bones, scales, and exoskeletons in owl-like pellets.
Kingfisher adaptations for hunting
Belted kingfishers have many special adaptations that make them effective hunters of aquatic prey:
- Large head and bill – Ideal for spearing and holding slippery prey
- Compact, muscular body – Makes them agile flyers and divers
- Ragged fringe of feathers on bill – Protects eyes from water splashing when diving
- Toes syndactylus – Outer and middle toes partially fused to create stiff daggers for stabbing prey
- Third eyelid (nictitating membrane) – Transparent eyelid allows clear vision underwater
- Waterproof plumage – Feathers are oiled for insulation and shedding water
Kingfisher breeding and nesting
Belted kingfishers breed between April and July depending on their range. They are monogamous and mate pairs usually stay together for multiple breeding seasons.
Kingfishers nest in burrows excavated from earthen banks near water. The female digs the burrow over the course of 1-2 weeks using her feet and sharp bill. Burrows are usually 2-8 feet long and terminate in a wider nesting chamber. The chamber is often lined with debris like fish bones, shells, leaves, or animal fur shed from prey.
Female kingfishers lay 5-8 glossy white eggs in the nesting chamber. Both parents share incubation duties for about 3 weeks until hatching. Chicks are born naked and helpless but grow quickly on a diet of regurgitated fish provided by the parents. Young kingfishers fledge the nest at around 4-5 weeks old but continue to be fed by the parents for several more weeks.
Kingfisher burrow nest sites
Belted kingfishers excavate nesting burrows in a variety of earthen banks near water, including:
- Sand banks
- River bluffs
- Roadcuts
- Aggregate or gravel pits
- Canal banks
- Natural cliffs
Both male and female kingfishers work together to defend their nesting territory from intruders or predators. They are highly aggressive around the nest, often diving at human passersby that get too close.
Status and conservation
The belted kingfisher has a very large range across North America and a global population estimated at 1.3 million individuals. Their numbers appear to be stable so the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
However, belted kingfisher populations can face threats on a local level. One of their requirements is muddy banks suitable for burrowing nests. Riverbank reinforcement with riprap or other stabilization measures can reduce nesting habitat. Poor water quality from pollution, oil spills, or turbidity from erosion may also affect their prey base. Clear-cutting of shoreline vegetation eliminates hunting perches.
To help conserve belted kingfisher populations:
- Protect and manage shorelines with suitable nesting banks
- Maintain water quality standards
- Retain dead trees and snags near water for perching
- Monitor and control use of pesticides that may accumulate in prey
Comparison to other kingfishers
While the belted kingfisher is the only species found in the USA, there are many other colorful and interesting kingfishers around the world. Here is a comparison table of some key traits of various kingfisher species:
| Species | Location | Length (cm) | Diet | Nest Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belted kingfisher | North America | 28-35 | Fish, aquatic invertebrates | Burrow in bank |
| Common kingfisher | Eurasia, North Africa | 16-17 | Fish, aquatic insects | Burrow in bank |
| Pied kingfisher | Sub-Saharan Africa | 18-20 | Fish, tadpoles, aquatic insects | Burrow in bank |
| Collared kingfisher | Southeast Asia and islands | 18-21 | Insects, lizards, crabs | Tree hole/termite nest |
| Kookaburra | Australia and New Guinea | 35-45 | Snakes, lizards, mice, insects | Tree hole |
This table illustrates the diversity of kingfishers around the world in terms of size, diet, habitat, and nesting behavior. While the belted kingfisher relies heavily on fish, many kingfishers actually consume more insects, reptiles, crustaceans and small land animals. The nesting strategy also varies – while bank burrowing is common, many tropical species nest in tree cavities or old termite mounds.
Cultural depictions and symbolism
Kingfishers have captivated the human imagination for millennia with their gorgeous colors and fishing behaviors. They have been depicted in mythology, heraldry, art, literature, and pop culture.
Mythology and folklore
In Greek mythology, Alcedo was a princess who threw herself into the sea when her father died. The gods took pity and transformed her into a kingfisher. Kingfishers were later associated with Halcyon, a minor sea goddess of calmness.
American Indian tribes incorporated kingfishers into folklore. Cherokee legends portrayed them as peacemakers, while Navajo myths linked them to fertility.
Heraldry
The kingfisher symbolizes dignity, peace, and prosperity in heraldry. This regal bird decorates medieval coats of arms, flags, and symbols of power for ruling families across Europe and Asia.
Arts and literature
Artists through history have painted kingfishers for their dazzling plumage. They appear in works from ancient Egyptian frescoes to contemporary Japanese prints. The birds also frequent literary works, gracing poems, fables, and plays from writers worldwide.
Conservation
Today the kingfisher serves as the logo for conservation groups such as the Maryland Ornithological Society and Kingfisher Foundation that work to protect wetlands and waterways. It remains an apt symbol of the beauty and diversity of natural ecosystems.
Watching and photographing kingfishers
The belted kingfisher is a joy to observe in the wild for birdwatchers and nature photographers. Here are some tips for catching sight of these magnificent fishers:
- Scan shorelines of lakes, rivers, estuaries and marshes for good vantage points
- Listen for the loud, rattling call which can reveal a kingfisher’s presence
- Look for perches like wires, branches or boats used for fishing
- Be quiet and patient – movement and noise will scare them away
- Photograph kingfishers from a blind on eye level with the water
- Use a long lens and high shutter speed to capture diving and flight
- Offer fish scraps bait to lure them closer for pictures
Best places to see kingfishers
Some top spots to spot belted kingfishers in the USA include:
- Oxbow Bend – Grand Teton National Park
- Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge – Florida
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – Pennsylvania
- Sylvan Heights Bird Park – North Carolina
- Red Fish Lake – Idaho
Conclusion
The regal belted kingfisher is a beloved aquatic bird unique to North America. These expert fishers are a beautiful sight along waterways across the USA. While they face some localized habitat threats, kingfisher populations remain healthy overall. Anyone who takes time to observe these magnificent divers will surely come away with an appreciation for their spectacular hunting skills honed over millennia.
