Bird Guide

Giant Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher

Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)

Giant Kingfisher

Megaceryle maxima

Large325 gWetland

The giant kingfisher is 42–46 cm (16.5–18 in) long, with a large shaggy crest, a large black bill and fine white spots on black upperparts. The male has a chestnut breast band and otherwise white underparts with dark flank barring. The female has a white-spotted black breast band and a chestnut belly. The forest race M. m. gigantea is darker, less spotted above, and more barred below than the nominate race, but the two forms intergrade along the forest edge zone. The call is a loud wak wak wak.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: derivative work: Snowmanradio (talk) Megaceryle_maxima_-Zimbabwe-8.jpg: Brian Gratwicke · CC BY 2.0
Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)

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

Sonogram of the Ringed Kingfisher
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, chase calls · Pichincha: Río Guaycuyacu, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: ntitelbaum · CC BY 4.0

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