Green Kingfisher Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A small kingfisher with a very long, pointed bill, rather long tail, and short, rather narrow wings.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Tree Swallow, much smaller than a Belted Kingfisher.

  between sparrow and robin

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 11.8 in (30 cm)
    • Weight: 1.2-1.4 oz (35-40 g)
    • Wingspan: 11.0 in (27.9 cm)

  © Pablo Re / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Adults are green with a white collar and white spangling in the wings; and white below with dark green belly spots. Males have a rufous breast; females have a double green breast band. Juveniles resemble adult females but may have a bronze tinge to the crown.

• Behavior

  Perches low over water, then makes quick dives to capture prey in the bill. Rarely hovers. While perched, often jerks the head and tail upward. Nests in riverbank burrows.

• Habitat

  Freshwater sites with clear water and plenty of vegetation along the edges, including rivers, creeks, streams, ditches, ponds, lakes, and resacas (oxbow lakes).