Belt fisherman
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Belt fisherman ( Megaceryle alcyon ), male |
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| Megaceryle alcyon | ||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The belt fisherman ( Megaceryle alcyon ) is a large, showy and loud kingfisher that is common in the Nearctic . Due to habitat destruction, the number of birds has decreased. Several subspecies are distinguished.
Appearance
The belt fisherman reaches a body length of 28 to 35 centimeters. The beak accounts for about five centimeters. The wingspan is 47 to 52 centimeters. The weight varies between 140 and 170 grams.
The belt fisherman has deep blue or blue-gray plumage with white masking, a protruding crest and a wide white patch on the neck that extends around the neck. Belt fishermen are the only species of bird in North America in which the females are more conspicuously colored than the males.
Distribution area
It is the only kingfisher species found in the northern United States and Canada . The breeding area is on inland waters or coasts from Alaska via Canada to the USA. These birds migrate from the northern parts of their range to the southern United States, Mexico , Central America , northern South America and the West Indies. Belt fishermen are extremely rarely sighted in Iceland , Ireland and Great Britain .
Way of life
The belt fisherman basically lives on fish. However, if this is not available in sufficient quantities, it will also eat crustaceans, mollusks, insects, small rodents and even berries.
The nest is dug in a sand bank or river bank. The clutch consists of five to eight eggs. Both parents dig the tunnel, incubate the eggs and feed the young.
supporting documents
literature
- Richard Sale: A Complete Guide to Arctic Wildlife. Christopher Helm Publisher, London 2006, ISBN 0-7136-7039-8 .
Web links
- Megaceryle alcyon in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2011. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2009. Accessed November 13, 2011th
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Megaceryle alcyon in the Internet Bird Collection