Belted Kingfisher

The Belted Kingfisher is a stocky, prominent bird with a large head, shaggy crest, and a long, stout bill. It is famous for its rattling call and its distinctive hunting style of hovering over water before plunging headfirst to catch small fish. Females feature a unique rufous belly band absent in males.

Striking bicolored pattern with a deep slate-gray to blackish upper half and a clean, crisp white lower half

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels; plumulaceous base with loose, fluffy barbs

Smooth, firm, and water-repellent surface texture with a matte finish on the dark sections and a silky base

Distinctive abrupt color demarcation separating solid slate-gray/black from pure white, paired with the robust shaft and water-resistant texture

Near bodies of water such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and marine estuaries where small fish are abundant

Breeds across most of North America including Alaska and Canada, wintering in the southern US, Mexico, and northern South America

Acts as an apex aquatic predator for small vertebrates in freshwater ecosystems, serving as an indicator of good aquatic health and clear water

Other medium-sized waterbirds or corvids, though the distinct sharp contrast of dark gray and white in this specific shape is diagnostic for the kingfisher

Unlike many songbirds, female Belted Kingfishers are more brightly colored than males, featuring an extra chestnut-colored belt across the chest

Good condition with minor wear and slight fraying at the extreme base, indicating a naturally molted feather

NW Arkansas