The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a medium-sized, stocky bird found across North America. It gets its name from the “belt” of white and blue-gray feathers across its chest. The belted kingfisher has a loud, rattling call that is distinct and helps identify the bird. Kingfishers use their calls for communicating with other kingfishers and defending their territories. In this article, we will explore what a belted kingfisher sounds like by describing its various vocalizations and calls. We will also discuss how to identify the kingfisher by its voice and where and when you are most likely to hear its sounds.
Belted Kingfisher Call Description
The most common vocalization of the belted kingfisher is its rattling, mechanical-sounding call. Both males and females make this sound, which is often described as sounding like a squeaky machine or a series of clacks. This rattling call is made up of a long series of individual notes, usually 10-20 in a row. The notes have a loud, sharp quality and do not vary much in pitch or tempo. The entire rattling call sequence typically lasts about 2-3 seconds.
Kingfishers often make this rattling call while perched or when flying over an area. The call serves to communicate with other kingfishers defending territories or attracting mates. The rattling carries well over distances, enabling kingfishers to locate one another. The repetitive nature of the call makes it easy to identify even if you only hear a portion of the sequence.
In addition to the rattling call, belted kingfishers have a loud, piercing “keek” they use in aggressive encounters. This single note call sounds like a sharp squeak or electronic beep. Both males and females will make the “keek” when chasing other kingfishers from their territory or food sources. The kingfisher may repeat the “keek” multiple times in succession during these aggressive interactions.
When and Where to Hear the Belted Kingfisher
The belted kingfisher vocalizes year-round, but the best times to hear its sounds are during its breeding season. This typically occurs between March and May across most of North America. During the breeding season, kingfishers are more actively defending nesting territories and attracting mates with their calls.
Some of the best habitats to listen for vocalizing kingfishers include lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wooded areas near water. Ideal spots offer good fishing perches like overhanging branches, rocks or posts near the water’s edge. In the early morning and evenings around dawn and dusk are often the most active times for kingfisher calls.
Here are some tips for locating belted kingfishers by sound:
– Listen for the loud, rattling call which carries far over water.
– Scan treetops and poles near water for a stocky, crested bird making the sound.
– Follow the direction of the call and look ahead to where the kingfisher might emerge in flight.
– Belted kingfishers often call while perched before making fishing dives into the water.
– Use the “keek” call to hone in on kingfishers engaged in territorial disputes.
Distinguishing the Belted Kingfisher Call
The belted kingfisher has a very distinctive rattling call unlike any other North American bird. However, two other kingfishers found in the southwestern U.S. have similar vocalizations that could potentially cause confusion. These include:
Ringed kingfisher – Found along the border region in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The ringed kingfisher makes a faster, higher-pitched, whinnying call.
Green kingfisher – Occurs in south Texas and southwestern Arizona. Its call is a series of high-pitched, staccato notes.
Outside of those regions, the loud, rattling sequences of the belted kingfisher are unique and cannot really be mistaken for other species. However, there are a few other birds with calls that have a mechanical or rattling quality, although none as prolonged as the kingfisher. These include:
– Northern flicker – Makes a short, sharp rattle or squeak that sounds similar to the kingfisher’s “keek”.
– Yellow-bellied sapsucker – Drums a fast series of knocks that may vaguely resemble the kingfisher’s rattling call.
– American goldfinch – Its fast, musical chips sometimes end with a rattling quality.
– Carolina wren – Sings a loud, variable song with some harsh, rattling notes mixed in.
Behaviour Associated with Kingfisher Call
In addition to listening for the distinct vocalizations, observing the bird’s behavior can help confirm you are hearing a belted kingfisher. Some typical kingfisher behaviors associated with their calls include:
– Perched upright on an open, elevated perch while issuing the rattling call.
– Flying quickly over water while vocalizing with rapid wingbeats.
– Hovering briefly before plunging into water to catch prey after calling.
– Aggressively chasing another kingfisher while making the “keek” call.
– Returning to the same exposed perch after fishing to call again.
– Calling loudly while excavating a nest burrow or emerging from one.
– Flicking its shaggy crest upon landing or vocalizing.
– Remaining stationary when calling unlike flycatchers which vocalize while darting out.
Nesting and Territory Defense
Belted kingfishers vocalize frequently during the breeding season while establishing and defending nesting territories. Their territories are centered around nest sites, usually burrows excavated into vertical dirt or sand banks along waterways. Both the male and female kingfisher will call loudly from perches near the burrow site, proclaiming ownership and attempting to attract a mate. The distinctive rattling calls announce the territory and serve as a warning to other kingfishers to stay away.
Kingfishers are highly territorial and will aggressively chase away intruders, especially around the nest site. Both males and females will vocalize loudly and repeatedly with the “keek” call when attacking other kingfishers. They may also make the rattling call at the same time as a territorial display. Females are especially defensive of the territory while incubating eggs and when feeding nestlings. The kingfisher’s noisy calls are a good clue that an active nest site is nearby if heard repeatedly coming from the same location.
Duetting Between Pairs
In addition to solo vocalizing, paired male and female belted kingfishers may also call in a duet. Also known as a tandem call, this duet consists of both birds calling back and forth, with the female’s voice higher-pitched than the male’s. The duets are thought to help maintain the pair bond, especially during the breeding season.
Some key features of belted kingfisher duet calls:
– Occur most often during courtship and territory establishment in spring.
– Involve antiphonal calling between the male and female.
– The female typically initiates the duet and her voice is higher pitched.
– The calls are often made with the pair in visual contact of each other.
– The male and female call back-and-forth repeatedly for an extended period.
– Duets may include a mix of the rattling and “keek” vocalizations.
Other Kingfisher Vocalizations
In addition to their primary rattling and “keek” calls, belted kingfishers have some other sounds in their repertoire. These include:
– Nestling call – High-pitched, squeaky vocalizations made by young kingfishers in the nest burrow begging for food.
– Chatter call – A faster series of high-pitched notes made around the nest. May communicate with mate or beg for food.
– Wing whirring – Male produces a humming or whirring sound with his wings during courtship displays.
– Bill clicking – Both male and female perform bill-clicking during courtship rituals.
– Grunts or croaks – Lower pitched vocalizations used around the nest site. May signal contentment or greet mate.
The variety of belted kingfisher sounds reflects the different contexts in which they communicate. However, the loud rattling call remains the bird’s most familiar and commonly heard vocalization.
Conclusion
The belted kingfisher has a loud, distinctive rattling call unlike any other North American bird species. Its mechanical-sounding vocalization serves to communicate with other kingfishers, defend territories, and attract mates during the breeding season. The rattling call is often made from an exposed perch near water and is accompanied by a diving fishing attempt into the water. Listening for this unique rattling sequence is the best way to detect the presence of belted kingfishers in an area. This call can carry over long distances and is mainly made by both males and females during the spring nesting period. By learning the kingfisher’s primary vocalizations and associating them with typical territorial behaviors, bird watchers can easily identify these stocky, crested birds even without seeing them. So next time you’re near a river, lake or stream, listen for the unmistakable rattle of the belted kingfisher!