Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species. CyberTracker Tools; ChangeThinking; Animal Diversity Web;. Pictures Specimens Sounds Classification Additional information: Find belted kingfisher information at Encyclopedia of Life; belted kingfisher. Encyclopedia of Life; belted kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon. Kingdom Animalia animal kingdom. Animalia.
Kingfisher The kingfisher is a small to medium sized colourful bird generally found close to water.There are nearly 100 different species of the kingfisher bird found around the world. Kingfishers live both in wetlands and woodlands worldwide, feeding mainly on fish but also insects, frogs and crayfish with those kingfisher species that live in the woodlands occasionally eating reptiles.
The Belted Kingfisher is often first noticed by its wild rattling call as it flies over rivers or lakes. It may be seen perched on a high snag, or hovering on rapidly beating wings, then plunging headfirst into the water to grab a fish. Found almost throughout North America at one season or another, it is the only member of its family to be seen in most areas north of Mexico.
With its top-heavy physique, energetic flight, and piercing rattle, the Belted Kingfisher seems to have an air of self-importance as it patrols up and down rivers and shorelines. It nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. These ragged-crested birds are a powdery blue-gray; males have one.
Vote for Belted kingfisher in Canada's National Bird Project. This large-headed bird has a long, pointed black bill, short legs and a square-tipped tail. Its distinct crest is bushy, and blue-grey above a white collar, while its body is the same dark blue with white spots on the tail and wings. It breeds across much of Canada, most often sighted around lakes, rivers and saltwater estuaries.
The order Coraciiformes includes a diverse group of families, most with few representatives. They are mostly tropical species. The Kingfishers (Family Alcedinidae) are by far the largest group. Although our Kingfisher is a bird of lakes and streams, many species are found in forest or grassland, some far from any water source. All are colourful, though only some have the jewel-like iridescent.
Belted Kingfisher. Terry Gray Photo (Megaceryle alcyon) Physical Characteristics: On average measure 13 inches long and weigh 5 ounces. Stocky, large-headed birds with short legs and shaggy crest on top and back of head with a straight, thick, pointed bill. Tails are square tipped and powder blue on top with fine white spotting on the wings and.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) has been known to eat berries occasionally while the Blue-breasted Kingfisher of Africa feeds on oil palm fruits (Elaeis guineensis). The Stork-billed Kingfisher ( Halcyon capensis ), with its large bill in relation to it body size is well adapted to dealing with crabs.
Distribution: The Belted Kingfisher is the most common kingfisher seen in North America. This kingfisher makes its nest by digging into shoreline banks next to the water. It can be found in almost all areas of the continent. It is seen from Newfoundland and Labrador through two thirds of Quebec, Ontario, all of the prairie provinces, the.
Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon All are specialist fish-eaters with prominent stiff crests on their heads. They have dark grey or bluish-grey upperparts, largely unmarked in the two American species, but heavily spotted with white in the Asian crested kingfisher and the African giant kingfisher.
The Belted Kingfisher is a blue gray stocky bird with a white collar and white belly. The chest is gray and females also have a reddish brown chest band. The head and bill are large relative to the body size. They have a prominent crest that from the base of the bill to the back of the neck. Juvenile plumage is similar to adult females. Size.