Belted Kingfisher Range Map

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Range Map
Sightings Map

Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding

Migration

Resident to long-distance migrant. In much of the breeding range open water is available even in the winter, so kingfishers may stay year-round. Kingfishers breed as far north as northern Alaska and Canada, and these birds migrate south for winter. Belted Kingfishers winter throughout Mexico and Central America to northern Venezuela and Colombia. Of the populations that do migrate, males seem to travel shorter distances than females.

Map data are provided by NatureServe in collaboration with Robert Ridgely, James Zook, The Nature Conservancy - Migratory Bird Program, Conservation International - CABS, World Wildlife Fund - US, and Environment Canada - WILDSPACE.

Learn more at Birds of the World

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Ringed Kingfisher

Green Kingfisher

Looking for ID Help?

Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.

Try Merlin Bird ID

Species in This Family

Kingfishers(Order: Coraciiformes, Family: Alcedinidae)

Ringed Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Green Kingfisher

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read

Why do female Belted Kingfishers have an extra rust-colored “belt” that the males don’t have?
Living Bird MagazineGallery: Belted Queenfisher
Living Bird MagazineLearn How to ID These 5 Confusing Streaked Sparrows

Living Bird MagazineAt Orchards and Vineyards, Birds Are Outperforming Pesticides
I found a baby bird. What do I do?
What do I do if I find a sick, injured, or dead bird?

About Us

Contact Us

Don't miss a thing! Join our email list

The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.