Amazon Kingfisher

Overview

The Amazon Kingfisher is a large kingfisher of tropical American rivers and streams, ranging from Mexico through Central America and much of South America. Its glossy dark green upperparts and white underparts are set off in males by a solid chestnut breast band, while females show a narrower, more broken band instead. It typically hunts by watching for fish from a perch overhanging the water before plunge-diving to catch its prey.

Feather Identification

• Upperparts: Glossy dark green with fine white spotting on the wing coverts.
• Crest: A shaggy, spiky crest tops the crown.
• Underparts: White overall.
• Breast band: Males show a solid chestnut band across the upper breast; females show a narrower, more broken, green-spotted band in its place.
• Versus similar kingfishers: The smaller Green Kingfisher shows white spotting on the outer tail feathers and a notably smaller bill; the Amazon Kingfisher's larger size and heavier bill help separate the two.

Plumage Notes

The species is sexually dimorphic in the breast band as described above. Juveniles resemble females but show buffier spotting on the upperparts. A single complete molt occurs annually.

Habitat & Range

The Amazon Kingfisher ranges from Mexico through Central America and much of South America to Argentina. It is found along wooded rivers, streams, lake edges, and mangroves, generally at lower elevations, and is resident and non-migratory.

Behavior & Field Notes

Amazon Kingfishers perch on branches or snags overhanging water, plunge-diving to catch fish and aquatic invertebrates. They nest in burrows dug into earthen riverbanks and give loud, harsh rattling calls, especially in flight.