Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)• The Belted Kingfisher is one of the few bird species where the female is more brightly colored than the male• As nestlings, Belted Kingfishers have acidic stomachs which helps them digest bones, fish scales, and arthropod shells. When they get older their stomach chemistry changes and they can no longer do this. • When threatened, the Belted Kingfisher may scream, spread its wings, and raise the patch of white feathers next to each eye. • When choosing a nest, they excavate burrows in earthen banks and usually try to avoid those banks that have vegetation on them Identification Information• Size: Robin sized (Medium)• Color: Belted Kingfishers are a blue/gray with white spotting on their wings and tail. They have white bellies and necks with a blue/gray band on their chest. In addition to the blue/gray chest band, females also have a rusty brown brown band underneath.
All of the above information is an abbreviated version of information gathered from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Please visit their website for more in-depth bird information.
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Last updated: August 27, 2019