Ceryle alcyon

Description

The belted kingfisher has a blue head with a shaggy crest, a blue back, and a white front with a blue breastband. It has a short white neck and a large head and bill. Its wings are blue on top and white on the bottom and its tail is blue on top and white-and-black striped on the bottom. The male belted kingfisher has reddish-brown sides.

Voice

This bird's call is a loud rattling sound.

Breeding

April to August

Habitat

These birds like areas with open water, like lakes, streams, and coasts. They build their nests in banks made of sand or clay.

Diet

The belted kingfisher's main food is fish. It also eats, crustaceans, insects, mollusks, amphibians (like frogs), reptiles (like snakes), and small mammals. Every now and then, a belted kingfisher will eat fruit.

Range

You can find these birds in Canada and the northernmost United States (including VT and NH) during the summer and year-round in most of the rest of the United States.

Other Useful Information

These birds sit up on wires and poles and look for food. When they see it, they dive down and grab it.

Similar Species

The ringed kingfisher is similar to the the belted kingfisher, but does not live anywhere near VT or NH.