Meet the belted kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

By Rebecca Thompson, Education Manager

Belted kingfishers are one of the most widely distributed birds in North America. In Ohio, kingfishers can be found yearround with the availability of open, fishoccupied waters. They are one of the few bird species in which the female is more brightly colored than the male.

Perching over the water, belted kingfishers search for their primary prey, small fish. Once they locate a fish, they dive headfirst vertically or at an angle for the water, aiming right for the prey. After catching the fish in their long, thick bill, they fly back to their perch, where they bang the fish against the branch or trunk of the tree. Eventually, when the fish is stunned or dead, they give it a little toss in the air, catch it and swallow it whole. Like owls, they will regurgitate pellets with bones and indigestible materials. In addition to fish, belted kingfishers consume crayfish, frogs, tadpoles and other aquatic animals.

Belted kingfishers are solitary, except during the breeding season from early April to mid July. During this time, males will defend their territory against other kingfishers. An average territory could be a little over a half-mile long. When an unidentified kingfisher intrudes an occupied territory, the male becomes very aggressive, resulting in a rattling vocal air flight that continues until the trespasser vacates.

It can take belted kingfishers three days to three weeks to excavate their nesting tunnel. The nesting burrow is located on the riverbank or lakeside bluff. The tunnel entrance slope upwards is three to four inches wide and can be up to six feet long. Both males and females chip away at the dirt with their long, thick bills. They then use their fused-toed feet to plow loose soil out of the tunnel. A small, almost perfectly spherical chamber for egg-laying is at the end of the tunnel.

Female belted kingfishers lay six to eight glossy-white eggs. Both males and females incubate the eggs for 24 days. The young are altricial and naked. The chicks’ feathers grow in about a week, and their eyes open in about two weeks. Both parents tend to the young. The

SIZE: 11-14 inches

WINGSPAN: 19-23 inches

DESCRIPTION: Male: stocky, bluish upperparts and necklace; white belly and chin; shaggy crest; long, thick bill. Female: similar with a rustcolored band across the chest.

BREEDS: Across most of the U.S. and Canada

WINTER: South to open waters VOICE: Mechanical, dry rattling sound, loud and raspy BEST LOCATION TO VIEW: Botanical Garden: Nearby large bodies of water, including rivers and streams. Arboretum: Corning Lake, Molly Offutt Boardwalk and East Branch of the Chagrin River.

adults feed them regurgitated food. Young leave the nest 30 to 35 days after hatching.

Belted kingfishers are common and widespread. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, their populations have declined 38% since 1966. Human disturbance and limited available nesting banks are some reasons for the decline. Belted kingfishers appear to be less susceptible to environmental pollutants than other fish-eating birds. However, unpolluted water is essential for the survival and reproduction of belted kingfishers and the prey they consume.

MEET THE STAFF

Rebecca Thompson is the Education Manager at Holden Forests & Gardens and has dedicated her career (1999 – present) to school-aged children and life-long learners.Her enthusiasm for the natural world has kindled a sense of exploration, discovery and a deeper appreciation for the environment. Her passion for bird watching drove her to become a self-taught local bird expert. She has served as President on local boards, including Blackbrook Audubon Society and Cleveland Regional Council of Science Teachers.

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