Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Year-round in CharlotteUncommon

The take

The rattle flying up the creek ahead of you — it always sees you first.

How to ID it

  • Blue-gray above and white below with a broad blue breast band; females add a rusty belly band
  • Stocky and large-headed with a shaggy crest and a straight, thick, pointed bill
  • Perches alone over water and plunge-dives for fish, giving loud rattling calls in flight

Field marks at a glance

Size
medium
Head
shaggy blue-gray crest
Call
loud dry rattle in flight

Where & when

Year-round in Charlotte — best odds at little sugar creek greenway tyvola.

Learn more

Sources