The ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) is a medium-sized kingfisher that lives in tropical regions of the Americas. This striking bird has a bright blue-green back, white underparts, and a collar of rufous feathers around its neck, giving it a “ringed” appearance. Ringed kingfishers are found from southern Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina and Chile. They inhabit rivers, streams, lakes, lagoons, mangroves, and coastal areas up to 2000 meters above sea level.
Geographic Range
The ringed kingfisher has a very large range in the Americas. Its distribution extends from southern Mexico through Central America and much of South America east of the Andes Mountains. Countries and regions where the ringed kingfisher is found include:
- Mexico – southern states including Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo
- Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
- Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana)
- Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay
- Brazil – throughout the Amazon basin and eastern coastal regions
- Argentina, Chile – northern and central regions
Within this broad region, ringed kingfishers occupy a variety of aquatic and riparian habitats. They are found along rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, swamps, mangroves, and coastlines. Their range extends from sea level up to elevations of about 2000 meters in the Andean foothills.
Preferred Habitat
Although they have a wide distribution, ringed kingfishers are habitat specialists, favoring calm, clear waters with abundant fish and good perch sites. Their typical habitats include:
- Rivers and streams – slow-moving watercourses and oxbow lakes in tropical lowland rainforests
- Mangrove swamps – roots and branches used for perching over water
- Coastal lagoons, estuaries, and shorelines
- Freshwater marshes and ponds with aquatic vegetation
- Wooded lakes and quiet backwaters of larger rivers
The vegetation structure bordering the water seems to be an important factor. Ringed kingfishers prefer waters that are open yet shaded by overhanging trees, shrubs, and vegetation. The branches provide perches for scanning for prey. Slow, clear water enables them to see fish from above.
Territory and Nest Sites
Ringed kingfishers are territorial and often reuse nesting sites over successive years. Their territories center on suitable fishing perches with clear views of the water and sheltered nesting spots. Favored nest sites include:
- Tree hollows and decay cavities in trunks or branches overhanging the water
- Tunnel burrows excavated into earthen river banks 2-4 meters above the water level
- Nests in old arboreal termite nests
- Crevices in rocks, bridges, buildings, or other manmade structures by water
The male and female both help excavate tunnel nests in cliffs and banks. They prefer secluded sites that offer shade and concealment. The average territory size is estimated at 700 meters of shoreline or stream bank.
Key Habitat Features
In summary, some of the key features ringed kingfishers need in their habitat include:
- Slow-moving or still bodies of water: rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, mangroves
- Clear water for seeing prey from perches above
- Abundant small fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey
- Trees, shrubs, vegetation overhanging the water for perching and nesting
- Secluded nest sites with concealment: tree hollows, tunnels in banks, crevices in structures
- Elevations below 2000 meters
- Warm tropical or subtropical climate
Ringed kingfishers may tolerate human modified habitats such as farm ponds, reservoirs, and residential canals if their habitat needs are met. But they are very sensitive to water quality and avoid polluted areas.
Geographic Variation
There are four recognized subspecies of the ringed kingfisher that vary slightly across their range:
Subspecies | Range |
---|---|
Megaceryle torquata torquata | Southern Mexico to Panama |
Megaceryle torquata stellata | Northern Colombia and Venezuela to the Guianas and Brazil south of the Amazon River |
Megaceryle torquata chlorocercus | Eastern Brazil from the mouth of the Amazon River south to Sao Paulo |
Megaceryle torquata torquata | Peru and Bolivia to central Argentina and Chile |
The differences among these subspecies are subtle. They vary mainly in average size, proportions, and coloring of the rufous collar. For example, M. t. stellata of South America is larger than M. t. torquata of Central America. M. t. chlorocercus has a more extensively green collar. But the variations are not sufficiently distinct to be noticeable outside a direct comparison.
Population and Conservation Status
The ringed kingfisher has an extremely large range estimated at 5 million square kilometers. Its global population has not been quantified but is believed to number in the millions of individuals. The species is described as common in most of its range. Due to its large, stable population, the ringed kingfisher is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
However, local declines have been noted in some areas due to water pollution and degradation of waterways. Ringed kingfishers are sensitive to water quality and disappear from rivers, lakes, and coastlines impacted by pollution, siltation, and disturbance. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving water quality and riparian habitats will benefit this species.
Interesting Facts
Here are a few more interesting facts about the habitat and behavior of ringed kingfishers:
- Ringed kingfishers bathe frequently by diving into the water from their perches. They also take baths in rain showers.
- Their diet is almost exclusively fish and crustaceans. They rarely eat anything caught outside the water.
- They aggressively defend their fishing territories from other kingfishers and large birds.
- Both the male and female incubate the eggs and care for the young.
- The nest tunnels can be over 3 meters long and take 2-3 weeks to excavate.
- Ringed kingfishers have symbiotic relationships with jacamars and other species that nest in their excavated tunnels.
Conclusion
In summary, ringed kingfishers inhabit a diversity of slow-moving fresh and brackish water habitats across the Neotropics, from Mexico to Argentina. They prefer calm, clear waters with overhanging trees and banks suitable for nesting. Though widely distributed, they are limited by water quality and sensitive to aquatic habitat degradation. Maintaining healthy rivers, streams, wetlands, and mangroves will ensure the future of these beautiful and fascinating birds.