Neotropical Migrant Bird Portraits

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Family: Alcedinidae (Kingfisher)		Description: A bird with a big head and big dagger-like bill. The male is slate blue above, has a wide white neck collar, white below, ragged bushy crest, broad gray bib-shaped breast band. The female has an additional rusty band on her upper belly. They're dive bomber specialists for grabbing food from the water. They will perch or hover above fresh water for food. They can fly in a zigzag, suddenly pause, and then plunge beak-first in pursuit of small fish or frogs. .......................... Nesting: A male and female pair will dig a tunnel using their feet and beaks in a bank near water (their food source). The tunnels will end in a domed chamber. They'll return to the same tunnel each year. Range: (April - October) Breeds during the summer from western and central Alaska to Central Quebec down to the Gulf Coast and Florida. Winters from the central U.S. to Central America. .
printable field guide compliments of www.neotropicalbirds.org Size: 13 inches Diet: Small fish, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, insects Habitat: Fresh and salt water sand banks: rivers, lakes, streams Call: Loud woody rattle
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