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Birds
Belted kingfisher
Belted kingfisher · Megaceryle alcyon
Belted kingfishers are striking with their distinctive silhouette, loud call and skilful fishing right at the water’s edge.
Fact file
- Size
- Around 30 cm in length and weighing about 150 g, with a compact build
- Males and females
- Female with rusty-red breast band, male without this band
- Sounds
- Distinctive chattering, rattling call while flying and when perched
- Diet
- Catches fish, small animals and also insects from the water
- Offspring
- Breeds from May, lays 5 to 8 eggs in self-dug nesting tunnels in steep banks
How to identify Belted kingfisher
Belted kingfishers have a sturdy body, a large, angular head and a characteristic crest of feathers on the back of the head. Their plumage is predominantly blue to slate grey with a white collar and a conspicuous white breast patch.
Female belted kingfishers also have a broad, rusty-brown breast band, while males have only the typical bluish breast band. Their long, robust bill is ideal for catching fish.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
Where Belted kingfisher live
Discover Belted kingfisher on your trip.
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