The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a medium-sized bird that is found across North America. It is the only kingfisher found in most areas of the United States and Canada. The belted kingfisher gets its name from the distinctive blue-gray band found across the breast of adult birds. This bird has a number of unique physical and behavioral characteristics. In this article, we will explore the key traits that define this fascinating species.
Physical Description
The belted kingfisher has a stocky body shape with a large head and a long, pointed bill. Their total body length ranges from 28-35 cm (11-14 inches). Some key physical features include:
- Plumage: Adult belted kingfishers have a slate-blue head, wings, back and tail. The belly is white. Females have a rusty band across the breast while males have a narrower blue-gray band.
- Bill: The bill is large, dark and dagger-like. It averages around 5 cm long.
- Legs and feet: The legs and feet are small and reddish. The toes are arranged in a zygodactyl pattern with two forward-pointing and two back-facing toes.
- Eyes: The eyes are small and black.
Male and female belted kingfishers are similar in appearance. However, females tend to be slightly larger than males. Immature birds have a streaked or spotted breast band until they mature at around 1 year old.
Size and Weight
On average, belted kingfishers measure 28–35 cm (11–14 in) in length with a wingspan of 47–57 cm (18–22 in). Weight can vary from 113–178 g (4.0–6.3 oz). Females tend to be larger than males by about 10 percent.
Some key measurements include:
Belted Kingfisher Size
Measurement | Male Size | Female Size |
Total Length | 28-33 cm (11-13 in) | 33-35 cm (13-14 in) |
Wingspan | 47-54 cm (18-21 in) | 54-57 cm (21-22 in) |
Weight | 113-142 g (4.0-5.0 oz) | 142-178 g (5.0-6.3 oz) |
The kingfisher has a large head relative to the rest of its body. This allows it to have the strongest bite force relative to body weight of any bird.
Plumage and Molting
The belted kingfisher molts its feathers periodically each year. However, it maintains its flight feathers so it can continue hunting while molting the body feathers.
Here are some key facts about the kingfisher’s plumage:
- Juvenile birds have blotchy, spotted breast bands that turn into the solid adult bands at around 1 year old.
- Kingfishers molt most of their body feathers between June and October. This yearly molt can last 4-5 months.
- The small head feathers are replaced continuously. The large wing and tail feathers are replaced gradually over several years.
- Male kingfishers have a single blue-gray breast band. Females have a wider rusty band that can sometimes appear double banded.
- The bands are thought to provide camouflage when the birds are perched over water.
The blue-gray feathers on the back and wings are iridescent. This means they appear to change color depending on the viewing angle and light conditions. At certain angles, they can display a bright azure color.
Voice and Sounds
The belted kingfisher has a loud, rattling call. They make a harsh, mechanical “kak-kak-kak” sound. The male’s call is higher pitched than the female’s.
Kingfishers may call repeatedly when agitated or to communicate with mates and competitors. Both males and females use vocalizations to defend nesting territories.
Here are some details on kingfisher vocalizations:
- Rattling call – The common “kak-kak-kak” vocalization serves as an alarm or contact call.
- Whinny call – A softer, wheezing call that sounds like a whinny. Used by young begging for food.
- Chuttering – Low chattering noises made by adults at the nesting site.
- Screeches – Loud, ascending screams. Used in aggressive territorial encounters.
In addition to vocalizations, belted kingfishers may communicate withmates or intruders using crest raising, bill pointing, head bobbing and wing flicking.
Habitat and Range
The belted kingfisher is found across a large swath of North America. Their range extends from central Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland. In the United States, they are found coast to coast.
This bird occupies a variety of aquatic habitats, including:
- Coastlines
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Streams
- Marshes
- Ponds
They require clear, fish-filled waters. Kingfishers are absent from mountainous or arid regions where suitable fishing waters cannot be found.
While found across varied habitats, belted kingfishers require:
- Open, relatively still waters for fishing
- Tree limbs, wires, posts or other perches overlooking the water for hunting
- Sandy banks and bluffs for nesting
Though they may disperse over winter, belted kingfishers are territorial birds that often use the same wintering and breeding grounds year after year.
Range Map
Diet and Hunting
Belted kingfishers feed almost exclusively on fish and other aquatic animals. They require clear water to effectively hunt for prey. Their diet consists of:
- Fish – Most common prey. Includes minnows, stickleback, sunfish and others.
- Crayfish
- Frogs
- Insects – Especially dragonflies, grasshoppers and beetles.
- Newts
- Crustaceans
Kingfishers hunt by perching over the water and swooping down to grab prey. They may also hover briefly while fishing. Here are some key facts about their hunting strategy:
- Perch on branches, wires or posts adjacent to waterways to hunt.
- Dive headfirst into the water to capture prey in their bill.
- Beat larger prey against a branch to kill it.
- Consume prey whole and regurgitate indigestible parts like scales and bones.
- Require clear, relatively calm water to successfully spot and catch prey.
Kingfishers are solitary hunters. They establish fishing perches within their breeding territories. A single belted kingfisher may capture thousands of fish each year to support itself and its mate.
Breeding and Nesting
Belted kingfishers breed once per year. They form monogamous pair bonds that may persist for multiple seasons.
Courtship
Courtship occurs in March and April. The male performs flights over the water and dives to impress potential mates. If she accepts his advances, the pair establishes a breeding territory.
Mating
Mating occurs frequently while the pair bond is active. The male mounts the female’s back to copulate. Mating may begin in March and continue through July.
Nesting
Belted kingfishers nest in burrows excavated into sandy, vertical banks. The female digs the burrow over the course of 1-2 weeks using her bill. Burrows are often 5-8 feet long and terminate in a chamber for the eggs.
Key facts about kingfisher nesting:
- Dig nesting burrows in clay, sand or gravel banks near water.
- Excavate burrows up to 24 inches deep.
- Lay a clutch of 5-8 glossy, white eggs.
- Both parents incubate the eggs for 23-24 days.
- Hatchlings are altricial – blind and helpless at birth.
- Fledglings leave the nest at around 28 days old.
Belted kingfishers are territorial and often reuse the same nesting sites year after year. One mate stands guard while the other incubates the eggs.
Behavior and Lifestyle
Belted kingfishers lead a mostly solitary lifestyle outside of breeding. They are diurnal and spend most of their time perched quietly watching for prey. Here are some interesting facts about their behavior:
- Aggressive territorial defense -Kingfishers protect fishing and nesting areas.
- Loud rattling call serves as a territorial display.
- Nest in colony groups at choice locations during breeding season.
- Perch motionless for long periods while hunting.
- Females are larger and dominant to males.
- Migrate at night in small groups but separate come daylight.
Beyond defending territories, kingfishers are not very social birds. Their interactions are limited to courtship displays, mating and occasional collisions at prime fishing spots.
Seasonal Behaviors
Winter
Kingfishers winter as far north as open waters allow. They may migrate short distances but often overwinter in the same general regions they breed. Winters are spent in solitary fishing and roosting.
Migration
Northern populations show some migration in the winter months. However most kingfishers are permanent residents across their range. Migrants travel at night in loose groups.
Breeding Season (March – July)
Pairs return to breeding sites in early spring. Courtship involves aerial displays over water. Nests are excavated in April and eggs are laid May-June.
Nesting (May – August )
Mated pairs share incubation and nest defense duties. Most kingfisher nests fledge young by late summer. The extended breeding season allows for re-nesting if a clutch is lost.
Dispersal (August – November)
Adults and juveniles disperse away from breeding sites in late summer. Kingfishers become somewhat nomadic during this period. They take up solitary winter territories in late fall.
Conservation Status
Belted kingfishers are thriving across their extensive range. They are classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Here is a summary of their conservation outlook:
- Population Size: 2 million individuals
- Population Trend: Stable
- Threats: Habitat loss, degradation of water quality
- IUCN Red List Category: Least Concern
While still common, belted kingfisher numbers may face pressure from pollution and habitat disturbance in some regions. Their dependence on high water quality makes them a good indicator species of ecosystem health.
Fun Facts
In addition to their unique appearance and behaviors, here are a few fun facts about belted kingfishers:
- The kingfisher is the only crested diver in North America.
- Their rattling call is made by specialized feathers on the throat.
- Female kingfishers are larger and dominant to males.
- They nest in colonies but forage alone.
- Kingfishers sport a stylish blue-gray plumage and Mohawk-like crest.
- At rest, they perch upright like little sentinels watching over the waterways.
Conclusion
The belted kingfisher is a fascinating bird perfectly adapted to its specialized fishing lifestyle. Some unique traits that enable its success include streamlined diving, a dagger-like bill, rattling vocalizations and plumage that provides ideal camouflage. Though they lead mostly solitary lives, kingfishers mate for life and make devoted parents. These charismatic birds remain a common sight from coast to coast as they hunt along waterways. Their continued health illustrates the vitality of wetland habitats across North America.