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.
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