Belted Kingfisher

Description
13". Pigeon-sized. Bushy crest; dagger-like bill; blue-gray above, white below. Male has blue-gray breast band; female similar but also has chestnut belly band.
Voice

Loud, penetrating rattle, given on the wing and when perched

Voice.

Habitat
Rivers, lakes, and saltwater estuaries.
Nesting
5-8 white eggs in an unlined chamber at the end of a tunnel up to 8' long, dug in a sand or gravel bank.
Other
Kingfishers often hover like terns over water where a fish is visible, then dive vertically for the prey. In addition, they may eat crabs, crayfish, salamanders, lizards, mice, and insects. Kingfishers often patrol a regular beat along a stream or lakeshore, stopping at favorite exposed perches along they way.
Picture
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