the belted kingfisher is a large kingfisher species native to north america, typically found alongside inland bodies of water or coastlines. they are the only kingfisher present in the majority of their range, and are easy to identify due to their stocky build and bold markings. they are sexually dimorphic, with females averaging a larger size than males as well as a notable rufous band along the belly that is not present in males. both sexes have slate blue heads, a large blue band across the chest, and white underparts. juveniles are similar to adults, but in their youth, both sexes display a rufous band - for males, it will be mottled with white, while females’ bands will be thinner than in adulthood. belted kingfishers nest in horizontal tunnels placed in river or sand banks, excavated by both parents; each clutch is 5-8 eggs, and both parents work to incubate the eggs and feed the young after hatching. during the breeding season, males are increasingly territorial and will aggressively pursue other animals that enter their territory, whether they are predators or fellow kingfishers. like other kingfishers, belted kingfishers feed by perching on a tree, post or other watchpoint and observing the water before suddenly dropping and plummeting headfirst in search of prey. they primarily eat fish, but also feed on amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, small animals - reptiles, mammals, and birds - and occasionally berries. due to the rattling call that belted kingfishers frequently give while traversing their territories, a group of the birds is often known as a ‘rattle’ (sometimes also called a concentration or kerfuffle of kingfishers).
photos sourced from macaulaylibrary.org
