Physical
Description:
11-14 1/2" (28-36 cm).
A large-headed bird with ragged, bushy crest and large, heavy, spear-shaped
bill. Males are bluish-gray above and white below with broad gray-blue breast
band. Female has a second rust-colored band on upper belly, below the bray-blue
one.
Similar Species- Green Kingfisher
Song:
Call is a loud, harsh, dry,
staccato rattle, often prolonged.
Distribution:
Breeds from western and central
Alaska, east across portions of Canada to Labrador, and south to southern California,
southern Texas, Gulf Coast, and southern Florida. Winters in south-coastal and
southeastern Alaska, British Columbia, Colorado, southern Great Lakes region,
and New England, and south to northern South America (rare).
Diet:
Eats mainly fishes, but will
also eat various other vertebrates and invertebrates.
Ecology:
Solitary except during breeding
period. Usually nests in burrow constructed in bank near water. In some areas,
availability of foraging sites may be more limiting than availability of nest
sites. Obtains food by diving into water from air or perch.
5- 8 eggs (usually 6-7),
for 23-24 days. Young leave nest after 30-35 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNXD01020 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5,NTMB |
| National Rank: | N5B,N5N |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.