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The belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) is the only species of kingfisher (Alcedinidae) found in Canada. Kingfishers are a family of robust birds, with large heads, strong, pointed bills, short tails and small feet. The middle and outer toes are joined together for over half their length. The family comprises 95 species worldwide. The belted kingfisher is 30–33 cm long, with a white underside and blue-gray on the back, with a large, ragged, double crest on its head. Generally, it breeds throughout Canada south of the treeline.
Description
Belted kingfishers are primarily blue and white. Unlike many other species of birds, female kingfishers are more colourful than the males, having a russet or red-ish band on the chest and flanks.
Diet
Kingfishers perch on dead branches overlooking water, watching for minnows, frogs and large aquatic insects. They dive headfirst to capture prey, often submerging completely. Prey are returned to the perch, struck against it several times, tossed into the air and swallowed headfirst.
Nesting
Belted kingfishers defend feeding territories along the edges of water courses. Nests are burrows, 1–3 m long, dug into dirt banks. Once the female starts incubating the 5–8 white eggs, the male feeds her on the nest. Newly hatched kingfishers intertwine into a compact mass for warmth. Burrows are often reused in subsequent years, regurgitated fish scales and bones from the previous season supplying nesting material.
