About the Amazon Kingfisher
The Amazon kingfisher is a species of "water kingfisher" in subfamily Cerylinae of family Alcedinidae. It is found in the lowlands of the American tropics from southern Mexico south through Central America to northern Argentina.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Amazon kingfisher is about 30 cm (12 in) long. Males weigh 98 to 121 g (3.5 to 4.3 oz) and females 125 to 140 g (4.4 to 4.9 oz). It has the typical kingfisher shape, with a shaggy crest and long heavy bill. The bill is black with some pale yellow at the base of the mandible and its legs and feet are dark grey. Adult males have dark bronzy green upperparts divided by a white collar. They have a white chin and throat, a rich rufous breast with dark green sides, and a white belly with dark green streaks on the side. Voice: The Amazon kingfisher makes a "oud, harsh, repeated 'tek' or 'klek'" and a "staccato 'chrit'" that may be extended into a rattle. It also makes "frog-like" calls. Another vocalization is "an accelerating series of clear notes...'see see see...su su su su'" that is thought to be a greeting or alarm call.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Amazon Kingfisher lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see the Amazon Kingfisher
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Green KingfisherChloroceryle americanaThe green kingfisher is about 20 cm (8 in) long and weighs about 35 to 40 g (1.2 to 1.4 oz); females are larger and heavier than males.
American Pygmy KingfisherChloroceryle aeneaThe American pygmy kingfisher is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long.
Green-and-rufous KingfisherChloroceryle indaThe green-and-rufous kingfisher is about 24 cm (9.4 in) long.
Side by side: Amazon Kingfisher vs Green Kingfisher
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