Ringed Kingfisher

Ceryle torquatusOrder: CORACIIFORMESFamily: Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

Overview

Ringed Kingfisher: Largest kingfisher in the Western Hemisphere. Blue-gray upperparts, rufous underparts, white underwing and undertail coverts, blue-gray head with ragged crest, long heavy black bill, white chin extends into a white collar. Gray legs, feet. High direct flight on choppy wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Ringed Kingfisher: Uncommon and local but increasing its range in southeast Texas; widespread in the American tropics. Found along larger rivers, lakes, and lagoons.

Listen:

Voice Text

"cla-ak"

Ringed Kingfisher

● Song: "cla-ak"

● Foraging & Feeding: Ringed Kingfisher: Eats mostly fish, but also takes amphibians, reptiles, and insects; hunts from a perch or hovers over water, plunge diving to capture prey.

● Breeding & nesting: Ringed Kingfisher: Three to six white eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs and grass, built at the end of a bank tunnel dug by the parents, sometimes far from water. Eggs are incubated for 20 days by both parents.

● Similar species: Ringed Kingfisher: Belted Kingfisher is smaller and lacks rust-brown belly.

Flight Pattern

High direct flight with floppy wing beats.

Ringed Kingfisher Breeding Male Body Illustration

● Range & Habitat: Ringed Kingfisher: Uncommon and local but increasing its range in southeast Texas; widespread in the American tropics. Found along larger rivers, lakes, and lagoons.

^BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester

^PopulationUncommon and local, Widespread in the American tropics.

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight11.1 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America