The belted kingfisher is a medium-sized bird found across North America. With its top-heavy physique, electric-blue plumage and raucous rattling call, the belted kingfisher is a distinctive and fascinating bird. One of the most recognizable features of the belted kingfisher is its broad, blue wings. But just how wide are those wings when fully extended? Let’s take a closer look at the wingspan of the belted kingfisher.
Quick Facts on the Belted Kingfisher’s Wingspan
- The belted kingfisher has a wingspan ranging from 23-27 inches (58-69 cm).
- The female belted kingfisher is slightly larger than the male and can have a wingspan up to 27 inches.
- The belted kingfisher’s wings are compact but very broad and rounded.
- The large, paddle-shaped wings provide the lift and maneuverability the kingfisher needs for hunting.
As those quick facts illustrate, the belted kingfisher has quite an impressive wingspan relative to its body size. But why does it need such broad wings? And how do kingfishers use their expansive wingspan while hunting and diving? Read on to learn more about the form and function of the belted kingfisher’s wings.
Details on Wingspan Length
Let’s break down those quick facts in more detail.
Average Wingspan
Most sources list the belted kingfisher’s wingspan as 23-27 inches (58-69 cm) across. Compared to the kingfisher’s body length of just 12-13 inches (30-33 cm), that wingspan is quite sizable.
Sexual Dimorphism
There is some degree of sexual dimorphism between male and female belted kingfishers. The female kingfisher is typically 10-15% larger than the male counterpart. This size difference means that female kingfishers often have a wingspan on the larger end of the range, sometimes reaching up to 27 inches. Male belted kingfishers are usually around 25 inches across.
Wing Shape
In addition to its broad span, the belted kingfisher has distinctively compact, rounded wings. The wings are relatively short for the kingfisher’s body size but exceptionally wide. This gives the wings a proportionately broad, triangular shape compared to longer, more elongated wings in some other bird species. The kingfisher’s stubby, paddle-shaped wings and thick plumage are adaptations for its unique lifestyle and mode of hunting.
Why Such a Wide Wingspan?
The belted kingfisher’s wide wingspan might seem disproportionately large at first glance. But the kingfisher depends on its expansive wings for successful diving and hunting. Here’s how the kingfisher’s wings help it thrive:
Allows Aerial Maneuvering
Belted kingfishers hunt by plunging directly from a perch into water to catch fish. Having long, broad wings gives kingfishers excellent aerial control so they can maneuver swiftly and accurately to snatch a fish. Wide wings provide the lift, braking and stabilizing abilities the kingfisher needs to dive, hover and adjust its trajectory when plunging from heights up to 30 meters.
Cushions Impact with Water
Kingfishers commonly dive into water from 20-30 mph speeds. Hitting the water’s surface from that height would be disastrous without a way to slow down first. The kingfisher’s wide wingspan essentially serves as built-in air brakes to slow the kingfisher’s descent before impact. Spreading those wings wide helps cushion the plunge so the kingfisher enters the water smoothly.
Propels Underwater Movement
After hitting the water, the kingfisher’s wings continue to provide an advantage. The broad wings are flattened backward and used to paddle swiftly underwater. This sculling motion propels the kingfisher through the water in pursuit of prey. The kingfisher’s streamlined body and powerful wings make it extremely agile swimming below the surface.
Unique Adaptations for Hunting
Beyond just the wingspan, belted kingfishers have several other specialized adaptations that maximize their diving and fishing skills.
Compact, Dense Plumage
The kingfisher’s small, neat feathers are tightly packed to help repel water. The dense plumage traps air bubbles close to the bird’s body. This air layer helps cushion impacts, insulates the kingfisher in cold water, and adds buoyancy to reduce diving energy.
Flattened Bill Shape
Ideal for spearing slippery prey, the kingfisher’s long, dagger-like bill has a flattened upper mandible. This enhances the kingfisher’s ability to grasp fish and reduces water resistance when diving.
Rictal Bristles
The belted kingfisher sports stiff feathers around its mouth called rictal bristles. These bristles protect the eyes from spray, help detect fish movements, and may even sense water pressure changes as the kingfisher gets close to prey underwater.
Foot and Leg Anatomy
To perch comfortably for long periods waiting for prey, kingfishers have a unique arrangement in their toes. Three toes face forward and one faces backward to evenly distribute weight on a branch. The kingfisher’s legs are short but very sturdy to provide stability and absorbing shock when diving.
Feeding and Hunting Using Its Wingspan
Now let’s look at how the belted kingfisher puts its expansive wingspan to work while hunting:
Perching
Kingfishers often perch inconspicuously on branches, poles or wires above the water and wait for prey to appear. The compact wings are folded in to take up less space while perching.
Diving
Once a target is sighted, the kingfisher springs from its perch into a steep dive. It spreads its wings to their full span to control the plunge.
Plunging
The kingfisher plunges up to 20 meters headfirst into the water, wings splayed wide to brake its descent. At the last second, the wings sweep forward to slice neatly into the water with barely a splash.
Swimming
Underwater, the broad wings morph into paddles. The kingfisher swims using wing sculling motions and its rudder-like tail to steer towards prey.
Ascending
Powerful thrusts of its wings help the kingfisher surge back to the surface. Upon breaking the surface, it uses those same mighty wings to lift off once again.
Wingspan Comparisons
To fully appreciate the belted kingfisher’s wingspan, it helps to see how it compares to other birds:
Vs. Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher found across Eurasia has a slightly smaller wingspan of 18-21 inches (45-53 cm).
Species | Wingspan |
Belted kingfisher | 23-27 inches |
Common kingfisher | 18-21 inches |
Vs. Great Egret
The graceful great egret has a wingspan of about 52-60 inches (132-152 cm), more than double the belted kingfisher’s span.
Species | Wingspan |
Belted kingfisher | 23-27 inches |
Great egret | 52-60 inches |
Vs. Mallard Duck
The green-headed mallard has a typical wingspan of just about 32 inches (81 cm), somewhat longer than a belted kingfisher.
Species | Wingspan |
Belted kingfisher | 23-27 inches |
Mallard duck | 32 inches |
Vs. Bald Eagle
With a wingspan up to 90 inches (228 cm), the bald eagle’s broad wings dwarf the belted kingfisher’s.
Species | Wingspan |
Belted kingfisher | 23-27 inches |
Bald eagle | Up to 90 inches |
Wingspan and Conservation
The belted kingfisher’s specialized hunting behavior and habitat needs make it vulnerable to certain threats. Loss of suitable streamside nesting banks and water pollution negatively impact kingfisher populations. However, the species remains widespread across North America.
Understanding details like the kingfisher’s ideal wingspan helps inform habitat management and conservation strategies for the future. Protecting undisturbed nesting areas and preserving water quality are key steps to ensure belted kingfishers can continue using their magnificent wingspans and diving abilities to flourish.
Flight Demonstrations
To see the belted kingfisher’s aerobatic dives and underwater swimming in action, check out these video demonstrations:
Diving for Fish
This video perfectly captures the kingfisher’s steep dive, splashdown, and rapid wing beats as it pursues fish underwater.
Fishing from a Perch
Observe how the kingfisher patiently watches for fish from an overhanging perch, then gracefully dives down and snatches its prey.
Slow Motion Dive
This incredible slow motion clip highlights the kingfisher’s spread wings and streamlined entry into the water.
Conclusion
With its compact body, oversized head, and broad blue wings, the belted kingfisher is unmistakable as it patrols waterways in search of fish. Though small, the kingfisher is a formidable hunter thanks to specializations like its 23-27 inch wingspan. By spreading its expansive wings to brake dives and paddle underwater, the agile kingfisher uses its anatomy to thrive. The next time you see a kingfisher, take a moment to appreciate the wonder of wings.