Photo by George Wall

Did you know there are 78 species of kingfishers in the world? Did you know that there are three species in the United States and two are found in Arizona – the Belted and Green Kingfishers? The Green Kingfisher seldom gets this far Northwest, but recently one was sighted at the Hassayampa Nature Preserve. However, this month’s focus is on the more common Belted Kingfisher that can be found all over the U.S. including Arizona.

Description: This bird can not be mistaken for any other bird. It is a large bird at 13” with a 20” wing span. Its main features are a long pointed bill and shaggy crest. Its color is blue gray on its back and head and white below. It also has a white color and a blue belt going around its breast which gives it its name.   

Habitat:  Any sheltered water especially rivers and streams. It will sit on limbs, poles or even wires near the water waiting for its prey.

Diet:  Just about any aquatic fish and animals. They will also eat young birds, insects and even mice.

Range:  North American to South America  

Breeding:   Makes a upward sloping burrow in a vertical bank near water and usually 3-6’ in length. Believed to be monogamous, the female will lay 5-8 eggs which are white and about 1 ¼”.

Interesting Facts:   In contrast with popular notion, man’s activities actually benefit this bird. Road building and gravel pits create banks wherein the Belted Kingfisher can build its nest, thus expanding its nesting range.

In order to kill its prey, the Belted Kingfisher pounds it on the perch. 

The male and female Belted Kingfisher help each other in digging to build the nest.