Guide to North American Birds

The Belted Kingfisher is widespread across most of North America but wanders widely, sometimes found in Britian, Ireland, Hawaii, Galapagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and the Netherlands. It is often first noticed by its rattling call as it flies along rivers or lakes. Perches on a high snag or hovers while rapidly beating wings before plunging headfirst into the water to grab fish or crayfish.

This little kingfisher seems oddly proportioned, rather like a sparrow with the bill of a heron. Living along streams and rivers near the Mexican border, it is often overlooked, because it tends to perch low among vegetation near the water; its sharp ticking callnotes may give it away. When moving up or downstream, the Green Kingfisher flies fast, with quick wingbeats, very low over the water.

Common in the American tropics, the Ringed Kingfisher was considered rare north of Mexico until the 1960s. It is now found commonly along the lower Rio Grande, and locally elsewhere in southern Texas. Larger than our familiar Belted Kingfisher, the Ringed usually hunts from higher perches and takes bigger fish. When going from place to place, it flies high, often following the river, giving a measured tchack...tchack call in flight.