Megaceryle alcyon

E706105

Megaceryle alcyon, commonly known as the belted kingfisher, is a stocky, crested waterside bird of North America recognized for its loud rattling call and dramatic plunge-diving for fish.

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Statements (63)

Predicate Object
instanceOf bird species
kingfisher
taxon
activityPattern diurnal
associatedWith freshwater ecosystems
riparian zones
averageLength 28–33 cm
averageMass 113–178 g
averageWingspan 48–58 cm
binomialName Megaceryle alcyon NERFINISHED
bodyShape stocky
breedingRange most of Canada
most of the United States
class Aves
clutchSize 5–8 eggs
commonName belted kingfisher NERFINISHED
describedBy Carl Linnaeus
diet amphibians
aquatic invertebrates
fish
small crustaceans
distinctiveFeature large head
long heavy bill
shaggy crest
eggColor white
family Alcedinidae NERFINISHED
foragingBehavior hovering over water before diving
plunge-diving
genus Megaceryle NERFINISHED
habitat coastal shorelines
lakes
ponds
rivers
streams
wetlands
iucnStatus Least Concern
iucnStatusSystem IUCN Red List NERFINISHED
kingdom Animalia
maximumLength about 33 cm
migratoryBehavior partial migrant
nativeRange North America NERFINISHED
nestingSite burrow in earthen bank
tunnel excavated in vertical soil bank
order Coraciiformes NERFINISHED
parentalCare both sexes feed young
both sexes incubate eggs
phylum Chordata
plumage blue-gray upperparts
white collar around neck
white underparts
roleInEcosystem indicator of aquatic ecosystem health
predator of small fish
sexualDimorphism female has additional rufous band on belly
female more colorful than male
taxonRank species
territorialBehavior defends feeding and nesting territories
threats habitat loss
water pollution
vocalization loud rattling call
winteringRange Caribbean NERFINISHED
Central America NERFINISHED
southern United States
yearDescribed 1758

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Alcedinidae notableSpecies Megaceryle alcyon