a Belted Kingfisher on an old peir

by Jeff Swan

Title

a Belted Kingfisher on an old peir

Artist

Jeff Swan

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Belted kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher.jpg
Adult male
Megaceryle alcyon femelle.jpg
Adult female
Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Subclass: Neornithes
Infraclass: Neognathae
Superorder: Neoaves
Order: Coraciiformes
Suborder: Alcedini
Family: Alcedinidae
Subfamily: Cerylinae
Genus: Megaceryle
Species: M. alcyon
Binomial name
Megaceryle alcyon
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Belted Kingfisher.png
Distribution of the belted kingfisher
Breeding range
Year-round range
Wintering range
Follows the Sibley Guide to Birds
Synonyms
Ceryle alcyon

The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, the only member of that group commonly found in the northern United States and Canada. It is depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $5 note. All kingfishers were formerly placed in one family, Alcedinidae, but recent research suggests that this should be divided into three subfamilies.

Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Taxonomy and systematics
3 Distribution and habitat
4 Ecology and behaviour
5 References
6 External links
Description[edit]
The belted kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird that measures between 28�35 cm (11�14 in) in length with a wingspan of between 48�58 cm (19�23 in). This kingfisher can weigh from 113 to 178 g (4.0 to 6.3 oz).[2][3] The adult female averages slightly larger than the adult male.

This species has a large head with a shaggy crest. Its long, heavy bill is black with a grey base. These features are common in many kingfisher species. This kingfisher shows sexual dimorphism, with the female more brightly coloured than the male. Both sexes have a slate blue head, large white collar, a large blue band on the breast, and white underparts. The back and wings are slate blue with black feather tips with little white dots. The female features a rufous band across the upper belly that extends down the flanks. Juveniles of this species are similar to adults, but both sexes feature the rufous band on the upper belly. Juvenile males will have a rufous band that is somewhat mottled while the band on females will be much thinner than that on adult females.[4]

Taxonomy and systematics[edit]
Megaceryle is from the Ancient Greek megas, "great", and the existing genus Ceryle. The specific alcyon is Latin for "kingfisher".[5]

The Megaceryle large green kingfishers were formerly placed in Ceryle with the pied kingfisher, but the latter is closer to the Chloroceryle American green kingfishers. The belted kingfisher's closest living relative is the ringed kingfisher (M. torquata), and these two in all probability originated from an African Megaceryle which colonized the Americas.[6]

Distribution and habitat[edit]
This bird's breeding habitat is near inland bodies of waters or coasts across most of Canada, Alaska and the United States. They migrate from the northern parts of its range to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies in winter. It is a rare visitor to the northern areas of Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas.[7][8][9] During migration it may stray far from land; the species is recorded as an accidental visitor on several Pacific islands, such as Cocos Island, Malpelo Island, Hawaii, the Azores,[10] Clarion Island,[11] and has occurred as an extremely rare vagrant in Ecuador,[10] Greenland, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.[1] The southernmost records of M. alcyon are from the Galapagos Archipelago, insular Ecuador, where it occurs as a migrant in small numbers but apparently not every year.[12][13][14]

It leaves northern parts of its range when the water freezes; in warmer areas it is a permanent resident. A few individuals may linger in the north even in the coldest winters except in the Arctic, if there are remaining open bodies of water.[15]

Ecology and behaviour[edit]

Female with prey

Call
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The belted kingfisher is often seen perched prominently on trees, posts, or other suitable "watchpoints" close to water before plunging in head first after its fish prey. They also eat amphibians, small crustaceans, insects, small mammals and reptiles.

This bird nests in a horizontal tunnel made in a river bank or sand bank and excavated by both parents. The female lays five to eight eggs and both adults incubate the eggs and feed the young.

The nest of the belted kingfisher is a long tunnel and often slopes uphill. One possible reason for the uphill slope is that, in case of flooding, the chicks will be able to survive in the air pocket formed by the elevated end of the tunnel.[16]

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December 24th, 2016

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