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RiverineCavity nestLarge · 317 g
What the Ringed Kingfisher sounds like
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Ringed Kingfisher
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Ringed Kingfisher
The map shades 28 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Curaçao.
About the Ringed Kingfisher
The ringed kingfisher is a large, conspicuous, and noisy kingfisher bird commonly found along the lower Rio Grande Valley in southeasternmost Texas in the United States through Central America to Tierra del Fuego in South America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Giant KingfisherMegaceryle maximaThe 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.
Crested KingfisherMegaceryle lugubrisThe 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).
Belted KingfisherMegaceryle alcyonThe belted kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird that measures between 28–35 cm (11–14 in) in length with a wingspan of between 48–58 cm (19–23 in).
Side by side: Belted Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher · Pied Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher · Giant Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher · Crested Kingfisher vs Ringed Kingfisher
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