Ringed Kingfisher
Megaceryle torquata
The Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) is a common kingfisher found in 29 countries, weighing about 317 g. 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.
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.
How to identify it
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.
What the Ringed Kingfisher sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Curaçao.
When to see it
The Ringed Kingfisher can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Ringed Kingfisher?
- Megaceryle torquata is a Neotropical kingfisher that lives in habitats ranging between the US and Mexico. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Ringed Kingfisher?
- The Ringed Kingfisher is a large sized bird weighing about 317 g.
- Where can you see a Ringed Kingfisher?
- The Ringed Kingfisher occurs in 29 countries, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, the United States and Argentina.
- What does a Ringed Kingfisher sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Ringed Kingfisher on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Ringed Kingfisher?
- The Ringed Kingfisher is most easily confused with the Giant Kingfisher, the Crested Kingfisher and the Belted Kingfisher.
- Is the Ringed Kingfisher endangered?
- The Ringed Kingfisher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ringed Kingfisher for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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