Bird Guide

Pied Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

Pied Kingfisher

Ceryle rudis

Medium84 gWetland

This is a medium-sized kingfisher, about 25 cm (9.8 in) long with a white with a black mask, a white supercilium and black breast bands. The crest is neat and the upperparts are barred in black. Several subspecies are recognized within the broad distribution. The nominate race is found in sub-Saharan Africa, extending into West Asia. The subspecies syriacus is a larger northern bird similar to the nominate subspecies (following Bergmann's rule). Subspecies leucomelanura is found from Afghanistan east into India, Thailand and Southeast Asia.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Pied Kingfisher
Recorded by Anne Ndung'u · Song · Busiro, Wakiso, Central Region, Uganda · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY 4.0
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: Pied Kingfisher and Ringed Kingfisher.