Kingfishers are a group of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds in the family Alcedinidae. There are over 90 different species of kingfishers found throughout the world, but only one species, the belted kingfisher, is native to North America.
The belted kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird with a large head and shaggy crest. It is mostly slate-blue in color with a white collar and underside. Females also have a rusty band across the breast. Belted kingfishers are found near rivers, lakes, ponds, estuaries and coastlines from southern Canada through the United States and down into Central America.
Kingfishers live solitary lives and are territorial. They make their homes in burrows dug into earthen banks ranging from 2-6 feet long. Kingfishers fly over water in search of small fish, their primary food source. When they spot prey, they hover briefly before plunging headfirst into the water to catch the fish in their long, pointed beak.
Geographic Range
The belted kingfisher has a very wide range across North America. Their breeding territory stretches from central Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland. It extends south throughout the continental United States, along the Pacific coast to Baja California and along the Gulf coast to the Yucatan Peninsula.
Belted kingfishers reside year-round throughout much of their breeding range. However, populations in the northernmost areas of Canada and Alaska migrate south for the winter. There are also some populations found only in winter along the southern coasts of the U.S. from North Carolina to Texas.
West
In western North America, the belted kingfisher can be found year-round west of the Cascade Mountains into southern Alaska. They breed along the Pacific coast from southern Alaska to Baja California.
Some key areas where they reside in the west include:
– Coastal areas of Washington, Oregon and California
– Lakes, rivers and streams of the interior Northwest into Montana and Wyoming
– Western shoreline of the Great Lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan
Midwest
Belted kingfishers inhabit the Midwest region year-round. They are found widely across the northern states south into Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
Some of the best places to spot them in the Midwest are:
– Great Lakes shorelines
– Rivers such as the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio Rivers
– Reservoirs and lakes across the region
– Coastal areas along Lake Huron and Lake Michigan
Northeast
The belted kingfisher is a common year-round resident of the Northeast. Their range covers coastal areas from Maine to Virginia and extends west into New York, Pennsylvania and the Ohio River Valley.
Key areas to find belted kingfishers in the Northeast include:
– Atlantic coastal estuaries from Maine to Rhode Island
– Lakes and rivers across upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania
– Shorelines of the Great Lakes including Lakes Erie and Ontario
South
Belted kingfishers can be found year-round across the southern United States. Their range stretches west along the Gulf Coast and south into Mexico.
Some of the best places to see them in the South are:
– Gulf Coast estuaries from Florida to Texas
– Rivers such as the Mississippi, Alabama and Savannah Rivers
– Lakes and reservoirs across the region
– Coastal marshes in the Carolinas and Virginia
Habitats
Belted kingfishers occupy a variety of aquatic habitats across their range, anywhere they can find clear water with abundant small fish to prey upon.
Lakes and Ponds
Calm lakes, ponds and reservoirs with clear water are prime kingfisher habitat. They frequent areas with both shallow and deeper sections where they can find fish near the surface as well as further below. Vegetated shorelines and overhanging branches provide perches for scanning for prey.
Rivers and Streams
Belted kingfishers live along rivers and streams of all sizes. They prefer relatively slow moving waters and are most abundant along gentle meandering rivers. Areas with sandbars, overhanging trees and logjams provide ideal hunting perches.
Estuaries
Coastal estuaries where rivers meet the sea are important habitats, especially outside of breeding season. Kingfishers frequent estuaries, lagoons, tidal flats and mangrove swamps from the Chesapeake Bay south along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.
Marine Coastlines
Belted kingfishers inhabit coastlines along the oceans, Great Lakes and other large lakes. They are often spotted hovering over breakwaters and jetties where waves create good fishing opportunities. Coastal bluffs with burrowing sites are important nesting areas.
Population and Conservation
The belted kingfisher is still a fairly common bird but has experienced some population declines in recent decades. Their numbers decreased by over 50% between 1966 and 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.
Habitat loss is the main threat facing belted kingfisher populations. Activities like river damming, dredging and bank development can degrade or destroy nesting and foraging sites. Pollution from pesticides, heavy metals and other contaminants may also impact kingfishers.
In some areas, belted kingfisher numbers are stable, including around the Great Lakes. But conservation measures are still needed to preserve suitable habitat and improve water quality throughout their range. This includes protection of shoreline habitats, responsible land management around rivers, lakes and coasts, and reducing pollution levels that affect aquatic life.
Kingfishers and Humans
The belted kingfisher has a mixed relationship with humans. On one hand, they may frequently use human-created habitats like reservoirs, ponds and dredged rivers. Nesting sites in gravel pits, quarries and roadside banks may also benefit kingfishers.
However, they are quite sensitive to human disturbance. Their feeding and nesting habits require clear, relatively undisturbed waters. Recreational activities like boating, fishing, swimming and trail construction near their habitats may negatively impact kingfishers.
Overall, the belted kingfisher’s specialized habitat needs mean they serve as an indicator species. Healthy kingfisher populations indicate good water quality and well-preserved aquatic ecosystems. Maintaining natural areas around lakes, rivers and coastlines will help support belted kingfishers and other important native wildlife.
Conclusion
The belted kingfisher is the only species of kingfisher found in North America. These slate-blue, white-collared birds inhabit a variety of aquatic habitats across the continent. From inland lakes and rivers to Great Lakes coastlines to estuaries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, kingfishers frequent waters where they can find fish. They are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health. Maintaining natural shorelines and good water quality is key to preserving habitat for these iconic birds. Though they face some conservation threats, healthy kingfisher populations persist across much of their range. With proper management, the belted kingfisher will continue hunting waters from Alaska to the Yucatan for generations to come.