Belted Kingfisher

Ceryle alcyon

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 12 inches
* Large, short-legged, big-headed, big-billed bird
* Hovers over water and dives headfirst into water in pursuit of fish
* Slate blue head, with white spot near lores
* White chin, throat and neck
* Slate blue breastband
* Slate blue back and upperwing coverts with small white spots
* Slate blue tail with numerous dark and light bands

Adult male:

* Entirely white belly

Adult female:

* White underparts with reddish belly band extending down flanks

Similar species:

In the United States, only the Ringed Kingfisher of south Texas is similar. It is superficially similar but is larger and has an entirely reddish belly band.