The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a medium-sized bird found across North America. With its top-heavy physique, electric blue-and-white plumage, and raucous rattling call, the belted kingfisher is a striking and instantly recognizable species. But just how rare or common is this charismatic bird? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the belted kingfisher’s range, habitat requirements, population trends, and conservation status to get a handle on how rare they truly are.
Geographic Range
Belted kingfishers are found throughout much of North America. Their breeding range extends from central Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland and south throughout the contiguous United States. Kingfishers winter as far north as the Great Lakes and southern New England, retreating south to the Gulf Coast states, Mexico, and Central America when waters freeze over up north.
Within their expansive range, belted kingfishers are found anywhere suitable habitat exists. They thrive near both saltwater and freshwater, inhabiting ocean coasts, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and even roadside ditches provided their habitat needs are met (more on that shortly).
Given the broad extent of their breeding and non-breeding ranges across the continent, belted kingfishers cannot be considered rare in terms of overall geographic distribution. However, their numbers tend to be scattered and localized rather than abundant and widespread.
Habitat Requirements
Belted kingfishers have very specific habitat requirements that influence where they can and cannot thrive within their expansive North American range.
Water: As their name suggests, kingfishers are intimately tied to water. They forage almost exclusively on aquatic prey and require bodies of water for feeding. Slow-moving rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes surrounded by trees and overhanging banks for perching provide prime real estate.
Perches: Belted kingfishers typically wait patiently on an overhanging perch like a branch or wire before plunging headfirst into the water to catch fish. Areas without suitable perches lack the necessary hunting platforms for kingfishers.
Nesting Sites: Belted kingfishers nest in burrows dug into vertical earthen banks ranging from sand pits and road cuts to natural riverbanks and shorelines. Suitable nesting sites with at least 1 meter (3 feet) of soil for burrowing are a limiting factor in some locations.
Prey Availability: Kingfishers feed almost exclusively on aquatic animals including fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and aquatic insects. Areas devoid of proper prey due to pollution, overfishing, or other ecosystem changes are unable to support belted kingfishers.
The specific combination of feeding, perching, nesting, and prey resources dictate whether or not belted kingfishers will occupy a given area within their broader North American range. Since quality habitat is scattered unevenly across the landscape, so too are kingfisher numbers.
Population Trends
The total population of belted kingfishers in North America is estimated to be between 1.3 and 3.9 million breeding pairs. The IUCN Red List categorizes the kingfisher as a species of Least Concern in terms of extinction risk. Their numbers are stable or even increasing across much of their range.
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data provides a snapshot of regional kingfisher population trends from 1966-2015:
Western BBS Region: 0.81% annual increase
Central BBS Region: 0.20% annual increase
Eastern BBS Region: 1.11% annual increase
So populations appear to be gradually increasing, especially in the eastern portion of their range. The only areas showing small declines are Ontario and Quebec.
As a whole, belted kingfisher numbers seem to be steady or growing rather than decreasing in most regions. Their broad habitat tolerance helps them adapt to anthropogenic landscape changes in many cases. However, habitat loss and degradation remain potential threats needing monitoring.
Conservation Status
The belted kingfisher is categorized as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This indicates it is at relatively low risk of extinction thanks to a large and widespread population.
Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 5 million kingfishers with a 1% annual rate of decline. But as we’ve seen, Breeding Bird Survey data reveals stable or increasing regional trends for much of the species’ range in North America.
Under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, belted kingfishers are protected nationwide along with other native migratory birds. They are not considered endangered or threatened at state, federal, or international levels.
While not rare overall, kingfishers do face some conservation threats to monitor:
– Habitat loss from human development near rivers, lakes, and coastlines
– Use of riverbank stabilizers and erosion control that can reduce nesting sites
– Pollution and decline of aquatic prey populations in some areas
– Disturbance of nesting sites during the breeding season
Key Takeaways
In summary, here are some key points that shed light on the rarity of the belted kingfisher:
– Occupies a large breeding range across much of North America
– Also found throughout Central America and Mexico during the non-breeding season
– Favors rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and coastlines with adequate fishing perches
– Requires earthen banks for nesting burrows
– Population estimated between 1.3 – 3.9 million breeding pairs
– Numbers are currently stable or increasing across most of their range
– Not globally threatened and protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
– Habitat loss, pollution, lack of prey, and human disturbance remain conservation issues
So while belted kingfishers have specific habitat needs and localized populations, their extensive range and increasing numbers in many regions mean they cannot be considered a globally rare bird. However, maintaining suitable habitat and clean waterways remains important for this unique species into the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are belted kingfishers found?
Belted kingfishers are widespread across North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada south to Panama. They live around both saltwater and freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastlines.
What kind of habitat do belted kingfishers need?
Kingfishers require aquatic habitats with ample fishing perches, like overhanging branches and wires. They also need vertical, earthen banks and cliffs with soil or sand to dig nesting burrows.
How many belted kingfishers are there?
The global population is estimated to be between 1.3 – 3.9 million breeding pairs. They are considered common within their extensive range in North and Central America.
Are belted kingfisher populations increasing or decreasing?
According to long-term surveys, belted kingfisher numbers are generally stable or increasing across most of their breeding range. A few localized declines exist in parts of Canada.
Are belted kingfishers endangered?
No, belted kingfishers are not considered globally threatened or endangered. Their Least Concern conservation status indicates they are not currently at high risk of extinction.
Conclusion
The belted kingfisher is a widespread North American bird adapted to a variety of aquatic habitats. While they have specialized habitat requirements and localized populations, their numbers are stable or increasing across most of their breeding range. Continued protection of waterways, freshwater food webs, and nesting sites will help ensure the future of this unique, entertaining bird. Though they may be scarce in some locations, belted kingfishers remain a relatively common sight from coast to coast thanks to a broad range and resilient nature.