Crested Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher

Crested Kingfisher

Megaceryle lugubris

Medium271 gRiverine

The crested kingfisher is a very large, stocky black and white bird, usually between 38 and 43 cm (15 and 17 in) tall, and weighs between 230 and 280 g (8 and 10 oz). It has a large, pointed black bill with a yellowish-white tip and a large, shaggy black and white barred crest. It has finely barred black and white upperparts with flanks barred grey and white, while its belly is white with a black-speckled breastband. It has a white collar that starts at the bottom of the bill and goes to the back of the neck. The tail feathers are black with 6 to 8 white bars. Voice: Crested kingfisher vocalization includes a loud "ket ket" in flight, as well as loud "ping" and deep croaks between paired birds. Loud rattling calls can also be heard coming from these birds when they are perched.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Daderot · CC0

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Large317 gRiverine

Megaceryle torquata is a Neotropical kingfisher that lives in habitats ranging between the US and Mexico. In 1888, the species was first discovered in the US, while the first ringed kingfisher nest was found in 1970. They are commonly seen along the Rio Grande and in water bodies in southern Texas. Their distribution is increasing and expanding northwards. Ringed kingfishers have dark-brown irises that are consistent among all age groups. They have straight bills that are longer than their heads, along with curved culmens and tomial serrations. Voice: Ringed kingfishers have louder and lower-pitched calls compared to the belted kingfishers. Captured Juveniles have been heard screaming, giving a klek or kek call. The same call is heard during human intervention or other disturbances. A softer klek is produced by the adult to signal its incubating partner. Its common vocalizations are described as rattles.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, chase calls · Pichincha: Río Guaycuyacu, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ntitelbaum · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Crested Kingfisher and Ringed Kingfisher.