Belted Kingfisher

Description:

he Belted Kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird that measures between 11–14 inches. The adult female averages slightly larger than the adult male. This species has a large head with a shaggy crest. Its long, heavy bill is black with a grey base. These features are common in many kingfisher species. This kingfisher shows sexual dimorphism, with the female more brightly coloured than the male. Both sexes have a slate blue head, large white collar, a large blue band on the breast, and white underparts. The back and wings are slate blue with black feather tips with little white dots. The female features a rufous band across the upper belly that extends down the flanks. Juveniles of this species are similar to adults, but both sexes feature the rufous band on the upper belly. Juvenile males will have a rufous band that is somewhat mottled while the band on females will be much thinner than that on adult females.

Habitat:

Wooded areas near bodies of water.

Notes:

This guy was flying around in a snow storm. The streams through the area were still open and have several species of trout in them. I think we were as surprised to see it as it was to see us!