1. Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Live up to two years in the wild.

3. Identification Medium sized bird Large head and shaggy crest Blue upperparts Blue-grey breast band White ring around neck Long heavy bill Female has rust colored band around midsection

4. Range Breeds from Alaska across southern Canada and northern US It breeds from April to late August then migrates south, following waterways to hunt as it moves

5. Habitat From April to August in breeding season the Kingfisher prefers rivers, large streams, standing bodies of water From September to May the Kingfisher prefers open water in coastal marshes, reservoirs, and rivers The Kingfisher needs sandy areas to nest which is why there is a slightly different environment in the summer

6. Feeding The Kingfisher dives headfirst into water and can reach a depth of two feet before having to surface Eats mostly small fish, insects, small mammals, aquatic invertebrates and tadpoles

7. Mating The Belted Kingfisher lives alone most of the year except for the mating and nesting season in April to August The Belted Kingfisher is a monogamous bird so the pair must find each other every mating season

8. Nesting The mating pair of Belted Kingfishers dig their burrow in sandy banks using only their toes and bills The burrows can reach up to 6 ft long The pair incubates 6-7 eggs for 22-24 days

9. The Young The young will be born without feathers and the mother hatches them and the father feeds them Once the chicks grow feathers they are fed by both parents The young will leave the nest about 35 days after hatching In 1-2 weeks the young will be able to feed themselves and will look for territory

10. Voice The Belted Kingfisher has a fast, repetitive, cackling rattle A recording can be found: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/105632 http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/105632

11. Interesting Facts Human activity benefit these birds by giving them more nesting area The Kingfisher kills its prey by pounding it on its perch They have been known to share their tunnels with Swallows. (The Swallows dig out small rooms tucked in tunnel walls)

12. To learn more about CREA please visit www.creamaine.org

13. Work Cited http://dsf.chesco.org/ccparks/lib/ccparks/crea turefeature/img_5454_belted_kingfisher.jpg http://dsf.chesco.org/ccparks/lib/ccparks/crea turefeature/img_5454_belted_kingfisher.jpg http://pie.midco.net/dougback/kingfisher.htm http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/wetlands/p hotos/coastal.jpg http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/wetlands/p hotos/coastal.jpg http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/birds/images/ GKPeck_kingfisher_nest.jpg http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/birds/images/ GKPeck_kingfisher_nest.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/25875118 52_68207b951c.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/25875118 52_68207b951c.jpg

14. http://chestofbooks.com/animals/birds/Bird- Book/images/YOUNG-KINGFISHERS.jpg http://chestofbooks.com/animals/birds/Bird- Book/images/YOUNG-KINGFISHERS.jpg http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/105632 http://whatbird.wbu.com/obj/61/_/Belted_Ki ngfisher.aspx http://whatbird.wbu.com/obj/61/_/Belted_Ki ngfisher.aspx http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird _details.aspx?id=267 http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird _details.aspx?id=267 Petersen, Wayne R., and Roger Burrows. Birds of New England. [Edmonton]: Lone Pine Pub., 2004. Print.