male (Florida, USA; 2008-12-25)


Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon

Native Range: North America

Notes: hovers before plunge-diving for fish; has a loud rattling call; bluish-gray breast band; females show a second (rufous) breast band below the bluish band and hence are slightly more colorful than males.

male showing crest (California, USA; 2007-10-06)
male (California, USA; 2010-04-10)

female (California, USA; 2006-08-13)
dorsal view (Florida, USA; 2007-12-21)
hovering (California, USA; 2007-10-14) level flight (California, USA; 2006-12-31)
male (California; 2006-12-24)