A distinctive, large kingfisher of South Texas. Adult male has plain blue upperparts and orange-red underparts, with broad white collar, large blue head, spiky crest, and heavy, long bill. Female is like male with blue breast band. Belted Kingfisher has mostly white underparts.

Length: 41 (cm) Wingspan: 64 (cm)

Voice:

Rattling call lower and slower than Belted Kingfisher; also a two-syllable call note.

Habitat:

Rivers, ponds, lakes, bays.

Behavior:

Perches conspicuously near water, often giving loud calls. Nest is inside a horizontal tunnel excavated in stream bank.

Feeding:

Plunges headfirst into water to catch fish and other aquatic organisms.