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KINGFISHERS (ALCEDINIDAE; 6 SPECIES) Worldwide family of small to fairly

large birds with big heads, long pointed beaks. Ages differ slightly, like adult in 1st year; sexes

differ. Nest in burrows in banks.

BELTED KINGFISHER  Megaceryle alcyon 31–33cm. Widespread winter

migrant to varied habitats with water, from rocky coasts and mangroves to

lakes, rivers, roadside ditches. Hunts from perches and from hovering fairly

high over open water; often perches conspicuously on wires. Distinctive; cf.

appreciably larger Tropical Ringed Kingfisher, which has rusty underparts.

Slightly larger than Amazon Kingfisher but with smaller bill, distinct plumage,

including large white wing panels obvious in flight. SOUNDS: Rapid-paced, dry,

‘machine-gun’ rattle, 1–5 secs, often in flight. STATUS: Fairly common mid-Sep

to Apr, rarely into May; commonest in lowlands, in smaller numbers to 1500m.

(Breeds N America, winters to nw. S America.)

*TROPICAL RINGED KINGFISHER  Megaceryle torquata 38–41cm. Mainly

lowland freshwater habitats, especially lakes, slow-moving rivers, less often

mangroves, estuaries, foothill streams. Hunts from perches and from hovering

fairly high over open water; often perches conspicuously on wires. Flies with

fairly slow deep wingbeats; regularly seen flying high overhead, sometimes well

away from water. Distinctive, with solidly rusty underbody, large size, massive

bill; large white wing panels on primaries much like Belted Kingfisher. Juv.

resembles female but breast band darker, mottled cinnamon. SOUNDS: Deep

chrek! in flight; powerful chattering rattles, deeper, slower-paced, and often

more prolonged than Belted Kingfisher. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, locally to 1500m.

(Mexico and s. Texas to tropical S America.)

AMAZON KINGFISHER  Chloroceryle amazona 28–29cm. Mainly freshwater

lowland habitats, from coastal lagoons and large rivers to small streams and

ponds, locally in mangroves. Hunts mainly from perches, at times on wires, but

tends to be less conspicuous than larger kingfishers. Flight usually low over wa-

ter; sometimes hovers, usually fairly high like Belted Kingfisher. Distinctive,

with massive bill, dark oily-green upperparts; lacks bold white wing spotting of

appreciably smaller Green Kingfisher and large white wing panel of Belted King-

fisher. Juv. resembles female but male upper breast washed buffy. SOUNDS: Gruff

to low rasping chruk or zzrk, mainly in flight, at times run into short rattling and

screechy chatters. STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes, locally to 1200m, rarely higher.

(Mexico to S America.)

GREEN KINGFISHER  Chloroceryle americana 19–21cm. Small darting sprite

of lowland fresh and brackish habitats, from small pools and streams to

mangroves, larger rivers, reservoirs. Hunts from perches, usually fairly concealed

and low over water, rarely high on open wires; does not hover. Flight typically

low and fast, flashing white outer tail feathers as it brakes to land. Distinctive,

with small size, contrasting white neck sides, distinct white wing spotting. Juv.

resembles female but male upper breast washed buffy. SOUNDS: Dry rasping

clicks, often run into short rattles; gruff buzzy zzher mainly in flight; short

buzzy and squeaky chatters. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, mainly in

lowlands but locally to 1500m. (Mexico and sw. US to S America.)