
The only kingfisher across most of North America, this species is often seen perched on power lines and other exposed perches over water. It is easily recognized by its large angular head, its shaggy crest and long bill. The upperparts are slaty blue-gray, with a white collar extending almost all the way around the back of the neck, tiny white spots on the wing coverts, and white barring on the outer tail feathers. The underparts are white, with a blue-gray band across the breast. Females show an additional rufous band across the lower breast and rufous on the sides and flanks. Juveniles resemble adults, with more rufous mixed in with the gray breast band.
Length: 28 (cm) Wingspan: 56 (cm)
Voice:
The call, typically given in flight, is a loud dry rattle often described as sounding like a machine gun.
Habitat:
Nests in burrows dug into banks, close to water.
Behavior:
Often hovers over water before plunge-diving for fish.
Feeding:
Feed primarily on fish, but also takes other small animals.
Field Notes

I have seen both male and female Belted Kingfishers in Colorado. They are very strange looking birds, with a large bill and mow- hawk like crest.
Citation: Personal Experience. I recently observed this, confidence uncertain at this time.
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/25/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/18/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/21/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/21/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
Billy Bump added Belted Kingfisher to their Olive branch, ms smart list | 2/22/2013 at 7:15PM |
Michael Saunders added a note to Belted Kingfisher Notes | 11/28/2012 at 7:53AM |
Dave Irons added Belted Kingfisher to their Chinook Landing smart list | 4/14/2012 at 11:20PM |
Jacob Parks added Belted Kingfisher to their Whitaker Ponds Natural Area smart list | 3/10/2012 at 9:53AM |
Steven Mauvais added Belted Kingfisher to their Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge smart list | 1/10/2012 at 1:05PM |
Grant Canterbury added Belted Kingfisher to their Clackamette Lake trail smart list | 11/20/2011 at 3:22PM |
Grant Canterbury added Belted Kingfisher to their Cross Park/Clackamas River corridor smart list | 11/20/2011 at 3:16PM |
Dan Mitchell added Belted Kingfisher to their Koll Business Park, Beaverton, Oregon smart list | 7/24/2011 at 5:31PM |