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Belted Kingfisher
(Ceryle alcyon)
Photo by permission of S. McElhone
Seasons in Walnut Creek: Year round Walnut Creek resident
The Belted Kingfisher is a beautiful waterside bird that lives close to creeks or streams. When they spot a predator they will dive into the water near them. Their main food source is small fish and other creatures living in streams. To find food they will hover above the creek for a while, then dive head first into the water once they are ready to snatch their prey. There are stories of the Kingfisher that tell after Noah released a dove to search for dry land he released a kingfisher, but the bird flew too high, thus the blue back, and too close to the sun leaving red scorch marks on the female bird.
Key Field Marks:
- Long, solid beak to capture fish
- Nests in burrows in sandy banks
- Females have a red chest band and flanks
- Medium sized, mainly blue bird
Key Behaviors:
- Does not dig its own nest; normally shares with swallows that dig it
- Hunts alone by perching over creeks and streams to spot prey
- Regurgitates pellets of indigestible parts of prey -- bones, fish scales, etc.
Habit and Range:
- Nests in holes near stream banks that are usually 3-6 ft. long
- Found near creeks and streams
- Common throughout North Carolina
Photo by permission of Randy Newman
Photo by permission of Randy Newman
This page prepared by 8th grader Paul G.
Exploris Middle School - Fall 2008
