Belted Kingfisher
MEGACERYLE ALCYON
Belted Kingfisher
MEGACERYLE ALCYON
The Belted Kingfisher is a conspicuous water kingfisher native to North America. It migrates to southern places in the winter.
The Belted Kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird with a large head and shaggy crest. It has a long, heavy bill which is black with a grey base. The head is slate blue in colour with a large white collar, a large blue band on the breast, and white underparts. The back and wings are slate blue with black feather tips. They are often seen perched on suitable watchpoints, close to water. They hunt by plunging in headfirst after fish prey. They also eat molluscs, crustaceans, insects,
reptiles and berries.
SIZE: Roughly the same size as a Grackle
CLASS: AVES
ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES
FAMILY: ALCEDINIDAE
GENUS: MEGACERYLE
BINOMIAL NAME: MEGACERYLE ALCYON
MEGACERYLE ALCYON
The Belted Kingfisher is a conspicuous water kingfisher native to North America. It migrates to southern places in the winter.
The Belted Kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird with a large head and shaggy crest. It has a long, heavy bill which is black with a grey base. The head is slate blue in colour with a large white collar, a large blue band on the breast, and white underparts. The back and wings are slate blue with black feather tips. They are often seen perched on suitable watchpoints, close to water. They hunt by plunging in headfirst after fish prey. They also eat molluscs, crustaceans, insects,
reptiles and berries.
SIZE: Roughly the same size as a Grackle
CLASS: AVES
ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES
FAMILY: ALCEDINIDAE
GENUS: MEGACERYLE
BINOMIAL NAME: MEGACERYLE ALCYON
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