Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
A mid-sized bird, frequently spotted along the shores of lakes and rivers. The bird sits on a branch looking for fishes and then suddenly dives at high speed into the water to catch a fish. Also spectacular are the birds territorial fight with other Kingfishers over fishing grounds.
- 🇫🇷 Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique
- 🇩🇪 Gürtelfischer
- 🇲🇽 Martín gigante norteamericano
Characteristics
- Length: 28-35cm
- Weight: 110-130g
- Wingspan: 45-52cm
How to Identify
To identify this bird, I look at the bill which is long and strong. They are grey [females] or almost blue [males] on the back and white on the front. Females have a second band, brown in colour. The strategy to catch fishes by sitting on a branch and then suddenly dive with high speed to catch a fish is another hint.
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Where and When to Spot
I spotted them in Park Angrignon and Rapids Park Lachine. Although, they are frequently seen in urban parks, they remain shy and change the branch with a intense chatter if humans get too close.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | - | x | x | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.