Belted Kingfisher

LC - Least Concern

N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding

SNRB, SNRN - Unranked Breeding, Unranked Nonbreeding

not listed

Species in Greatest Conservation Need

11″ to 14″ in length

20″ wingspan

Rivers, large streams, lakes, and beaver ponds

Early March to late November

Common migrant and breeder

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

The Belted Kingfisher was formerly named Ceryle alcyon. Along with three other large kingfishers, it was formerly placed in the genus Ceryle with the Pied Kingfisher. Phylogenetic and mitochondrial DNA analysis shows that Pied Kingfisher is more closely related to the American green kingfishers than to the other four kingfishers. The four kingfishers were subsequently separated as the new genus Megaceryle.

Kingfisher...and also a Woodchuck...

While out near a creek and bluff one day I was able to sneak up on a Kingfisher. I have seen them before but the spook real easy. While I was filming it I would at times try sneak a little over to get a better view through the trees since there was a breeze blowing the branches at times back and forth. One time while I was trying to do that when I stopped and focused the kingfisher in noticed a woodchuck was there. I believe it either came from down below or came down the bluff. There was a hole near the very top of the bluff. It climbed right back up. I didn’t expect a woodchuck to climb cup a sand bluff or that it even could but it did. I only got footage of where it is in the frame grab and it climbing back up. I didn’t follow it up since I was more focused on getting the kingfisher. Made it interesting. Nice setting for around here.

Kingfisher.....

I believe this is a Kingfisher. I noticed it perched high above a stream on a dead tree limb in front of a sand cliff in rural Norman Co. Mn. It appeared to be watching the water area below possibly for any small fish etc. swimming in the stream. Made for an interesting photo.

Location: Vadnais Heights, Mn.

Two  photographers heard it.  Very exciting.

Dozens and dozens of different types of swallows darting and swarming for bugs just above the top of the lake.

Location: 2 miles north of Kenneth, in tree next to waterway.

Jim Breza
7/10/2021

Location:  Winona, MN

I had one for the past week feeding on my goldfish, twice a day, that I know of.  It is a smaller one but today I seen the small one and now a large Kingfisher, also.  It is getting frustrating  as they are feasting well.  It is a large pond so I am thinking I will lay a net out over the water to discourage them and hopefully force them to move elsewhere.

They are quite the site to watch, in action.  We had a strong  rain storm this week and that Fisher pulled three fish during the storm.  The water was so distorted by the downpour I do not know how it could even see one fish through it but it was successful, all three times!

Location: Norman Co., Mn.

While out near a creek and bluff one day I was able to sneak up on a Kingfisher. I have seen them before but the spook real easy. While I was filming it I would at times try sneak a little over to get a better view through the trees since there was a breeze blowing the branches at times back and forth. One time while I was trying to do that when I stopped and focused the kingfisher in noticed a woodchuck was there. I believe it either came from down below or came down the bluff. There was a hole near the very top of the bluff. It climbed right back up. I didn’t expect a woodchuck to climb cup a sand bluff or that it even could but it did. I only got footage of where it is in the frame grab and it climbing back up. I didn’t follow it up since I was more focused on getting the kingfisher. Made it interesting. Nice setting for around here.

Bird lover
4/15/2021

Location: Woodbury, MN

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A female Belted Kingfisher perched on a branch over a stream waiting for its next meal near the bridge in The Big Stone Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle County.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A female Belted Kingfisher hanging out on a branch over a stream in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. The female Belted Kingfisher has a rusty colored breast band and flank.

Location: rural Norman Co., Mn.

I believe this is a Kingfisher. I noticed it perched high above a stream on a dead tree limb in front of a sand cliff in rural Norman Co. Mn. It appeared to be watching the water area below possibly for any small fish etc. swimming in the stream. Made for an interesting photo.

Location: Lake Louise State Park

I heard this Kingfisher make a loud SPLAT into the lake before I saw him fly up into a tree. I expected him to be carrying his catch, but apparently it got away from him because he was empty-handed.

Location: north shore of Lake Minnewaska, 1.5 miles from Starbuck,Mn

we see one Belted Kingfisher on our shoreline every year, it stays for the summer, it sits in the trees along the shore and on the dock