Belted Kingfisher

A belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a medium-sized water bird native to North America. It is known for its large head, shaggy crest, and loud, rattling call. 🐦

The belted kingfisher has a large head with a shaggy crest and a long, dagger-like bill. Its plumage is a bluish-gray on its back with a white belly and a broad, blue band across its breast, which gives the bird its name. The females are unique in that they also have a rust-colored band on their belly.

Belted kingfishers are found along the coasts of North America, including rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They are carnivores and their diet consists of a wide variety of fish and crustaceans, which they catch by diving headfirst into the water from a high perch.

Belted kingfishers are a solitary species that are known for their loud, rattling call. They are highly territorial, and each individual will defend a long stretch of river or shoreline from other kingfishers. They are also known for their nest-building habits, as they will dig a long tunnel into a sandy bank to lay their eggs.