Animal of the Month

Belted Kingfisher

 Cerle alcyon

• A large and conspicuous bird that is easily identified.
• Look for its bluish crested head and a bluish breast band, white underneath.
• A long pointed beak adapted for their fishing skills.
• Females have a rust belly band and sides.

Behavior

• It is always found near water
• Often seen hovering over water and then plunging into it to catch fish and small invertebrates.
• They hunt their prey by sight and teach this skill to their fledglings, often catching small fish, beating them senseless and then redepositing them in water so the young learn and capture them more easily.
• Kingfishers typically nest in small tunnels that are excavated into perpendicular banks.

Where can I find it in the Park

The Belted Kingfisher can be seen fishing in the Visitor Center show pond.