Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
A mid-sized bird, frequently spotted along the shores of lakes and rivers. The bird sits on a branch looking for fishes and then suddenly dives at high speed into the water to catch a fish. Also spectacular are the birds territorial fight with other Kingfishers over fishing grounds.
Specs
Length | 28-35cm |
Weight | 110-130g |
Wingspan | 45-52cm |
Common Names
German | Gürtelfischer |
English | Belted Kingfisher |
French | Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique |
Spanish | Martín gigante norteamericano |
Taxonomy
Order | Coraciiformes |
Family | Alcedinidae |
Species | Megaceryle alcyon |
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How to Identify
To identify this bird, I look at the bill which is long and strong. They are grey [females] or almost blue [males] on the back and white on the front. Females have a second band, brown in colour. The strategy to catch fishes by sitting on a branch and then suddenly dive with high speed to catch a fish is another hint.
![Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) - Parc Angrignon - 2018-09-23](https://simaecnet.imgix.net/photos/khm-20180923-1851-1537714306.jpg?w=235&h=235&fit=crop&auto=format,compress&crop=entropy)
![Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) - Parc Angrignon - 2018-09-23](https://simaecnet.imgix.net/photos/khm-20180923-1653-1537707211.jpg?w=235&h=235&fit=crop&auto=format,compress&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.4&fp-y=0.4)
![Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) - Parc Angrignon - 2017-09-09](https://simaecnet.imgix.net/photos/khm-20170909-1843-1504968189.jpg?w=235&h=235&fit=crop&auto=format,compress&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.52&fp-y=0.5)
![Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) - Parc Angrignon - 2017-09-09](https://simaecnet.imgix.net/photos/khm-20170909-1829-1504967399.jpg?w=235&h=235&fit=crop&auto=format,compress&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.65&fp-y=0.45)
![Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) - Parc des Rapides - 2016-09-03](https://simaecnet.imgix.net/photos/khm-20160903-1400-1472896803.jpg?w=235&h=235&fit=crop&auto=format,compress&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.32&fp-y=0.4)
Where and When to Spot
I spotted them in Park Angrignon and Rapids Park Lachine. Although, they are frequently seen in urban parks, they remain shy and change the branch with a intense chatter if humans get too close.
Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | - |
Parc des Rapides | - | x | x | - |
Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.