Belted Kingfisher

Ceryle alcyon

The Belted Kingfisher can often be spotted on a perch overlooking the water, with its head down as it scans the water below for suitable prey.  They are plunge divers, diving headfirst to grab prey (usually small fish) near the water's surface.  The female (see bottom photo) is actually more colorful than the male (see photo to the right), with a chestnut colored band across the belly that the male lacks.

Habitat: Can be found near practically any aquatic habitat, especially in the winter and the fall.  They are more particular in the summer, when they require aquatic habitats with nearby dirt banks for their nesting burrows.

Diet: Primarily feeds on small fish.  They will also eat other aquatic animals including frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, and aquatic insects.  They occasionally feed away from water and will take mice and other small rodents, lizards, small snakes, and small birds.

Behavior: Observes from a perch over water, plunging head first into the water after prey when spotted.  Also will hover over water in search of prey.

Nesting: May through July

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map

Song: Belted Kingfisher Song

Migration: Summers throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Birds in the northern part of its range usually migrate southward in the fall, but they can be found in winter in the north as long as open water is available.  They are generally a rare occurrence in South Dakota in the winter, however.

Similar Species: Similar to other Kingfishers, but the Belted Kingfisher is the only one found in South Dakota.

Conservation Status: Numbers appear to be stable with slight decreases in parts of its range.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Belted Kingfisher

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Belted Kingfisher"

3) eNature.com: Belted Kingfisher

Photo Information: Top Photo (Male): February 9th, 2003 -- Beaver pond on Sergeant Creek in Newton Hills State Park -- Terry Sohl

Bottom Photo (Female): April 5th, 2003 -- Pierre, SD -- Doug Backlund

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Belted Kingfisher photos.