BirdWatching USA – September-October 2019

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EXTRA COLOR: Female Belted Kingfishers like this one have a rufous belt across the belly and
down the flanks, a color that males don’t have. The jury is out on why females are more colorful.

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
A brilliant example of form following
function, the Belted Kingfisher is
uniquely equipped for a livelihood
dependent on catching fish. A long,
stout bill and large head topped by a
ragged crest — giving it a roguish,
top-heavy look — serve this species well
for the business of spotting, diving, and
catching fish. Short, weak legs extend-
ing from a thickset body are perfect for
perching to scan the water for move-
ment, and a special third eyelid closes to
protect the bird’s eyes while under
water. Third and fourth toes are joined
as far as the second joint, helpful for
pushing out dirt when excavating their
nesting tunnel in the steep banks of
creeks and streams.
The Belted Kingfisher’s generic
name, Ceryle, comes from the Greek
for “seabird,” and when it comes to

fishing, the kingfisher is in a realm all

its own. Sitting immobile on a favorite

branch, crest a bristle, when its keen

eyes catch the gleam of a fin moving in

the water below, the kingfisher

becomes a diving machine. Darting

from its perch, it hovers for a breath-

stopping split second to pinpoint its

quarry, then dives headlong into the

water. If quick enough and accurate

enough, it surfaces with its wriggling

prey and f lies back to its perch,

smacking the fish against the perch to

stun it before f lipping it in the air and

swallowing it head first.

Unlike f locking birds that rely on

each other’s sharp eyes to help find food,

the kingfisher works alone. Its diet

consists almost entirely of small fish,

preferably under 5 inches long, mostly

those species that are of little use or even

harmful economically as far as human

interests are concerned. But when heavy

rains cloud waterways, the birds will

snatch insects on the wing and scoop

frogs, lizards, and snakes off the ground.

Like owls and hawks, the kingfisher’s

internal organs use the nourishing part

of its prey and disgorge the indigestible

scales and bones as pellets.

Kingfishers are as secretive and

protective about their best fishing holes

as any human angler. They stoutly

defend linear territories along the

watercourse and patrol a regular beat,

fishing the riff les where small fish are

likely to gather. Both males and females

defend individual territories, calling

out stridently and f lying at intruding

kingfishers. Dramatic chases ensue

when defending a good fishing

territory, especially if it’s one they plan

to hold onto as a winter territory. When

another kingfisher approaches its

28 BirdWatching • September/October 2019