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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Kingfishers and Allies (Order Coraciiformes)

-Large Crested Kingfishers (Genus Megaceryle)

-Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)


The Belted Kingfisher inhabits a variety of aquatic habitats and builds its nests in excavated holes in banks. Often heard before seen, this dagger-billed, shaggy-crested bird is usually spotted next to a river or lake, or hovering over the water before plunging headfirst to snag a fish. Belted Kingfishers hunt using a sit-and-wait strategy, from a perch with a clear view over their feeding territory. This bird's diet consists mostly of fish species that live in shallow water or swim near the surface, but Belted Kingfishers will also take crayfish, insects, frogs, snakes, young birds, and small mammals.

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Diet

  • Primarily fish, including minnows and other small freshwater and coastal species.

  • Also feeds on crayfish, crabs, shrimp, aquatic insects, frogs, tadpoles, small reptiles, and occasionally small mammals.

  • Hunts by perching above the water or hovering briefly before plunging headfirst to seize prey with its stout bill.

Range

  • Breeds throughout Canada, Alaska, and most of the United States, as well as parts of northern Mexico.

  • Winters from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.

  • A common winter visitor to the Zihuatanejo region, where it frequents rivers, streams, ponds, estuaries, mangroves, coastal lagoons, and rocky shorelines.

  • Prefers habitats with clear water and elevated perches for hunting.

Male / Female

  • Male: Blue-gray head, crest, back, and wings with a white throat and white underparts crossed by a single blue-grey breast band.

  • Female: Similar to the male but with an additional chestnut band across the belly and chestnut flanks, making her one of the few North American birds in which the female is more colourful than the male.

  • The sexes are easily distinguished by the female's chestnut belly band.

Size

  • Length: 28–35 cm (11–14 in)

  • Wingspan: 48–58 cm (19–23 in)

  • Weight: 113–170 g (4.0–6.0 oz)

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