belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 12 inches

• Large, short-legged, big-headed, big-billed bird

• Hovers over water and dives headfirst into water in pursuit of fish

• Slate blue head, with white spot near lores

• White chin, throat and neck

• Slate blue breastband

• Slate blue back and upperwing coverts with small white spots

• Slate blue tail with numerous dark and light bands

Adult male:

• Entirely white belly

Adult female:

• White underparts with reddish belly band extending down flanks

Similar species:

In the United States, only the ringed kingfisher of south Texas is similar.
It is superficially similar but is larger and has an entirely reddish belly
band.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 5-8
Length of Incubation: 23-24 days
Days to Fledge: 23+?
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Mostly fish; lesser quantities of aquatic invertebrates, reptiles or
   amphibians

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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