The female of the Belted Kingfisher bird breed, is one of the few females that is more flamboyant than the males.

Although, the Kingfisher species was the 2023 American Bird Association Bird of the Year, some of us like Liz Clayton Fuller and Erica Engel, think the award should have been gender specific.

“It’s about time to focus on the female of a bird species!”, she wrote on her website at www.ericangel.com.

Although the Queenfisher is not an official breed, the female of the species is easy to spot because it is the one with its rusty-colored stripe across its breast.

Males help with babies

Belted Kingfishers raise their young in long burrows. These tunnels are built in the side of river banks. Males are known to feed babies, as well as incubate eggs, along with females. Both parents act as guardians if anyone gets too near their burrow.

Although adults cannot eat the bones of their prey, because their offsprings’ stomachs are acidic they can eat all of their lunch/dinner.

Ecology

The distinctive rattling call of the kingfisher is well known. A group is known as a concentration, a rattle, or a kerfuffle of kingfishers!

The speedy birds can swoop down on fish at 25 mph (40 kmph). Even though fish is their favorite food, kingfishers can also eat reptiles, small mammals, berries, amphibians, and mollusks.

Belted kingfishers are a medium-sized bird. Females tend to be a little larger at 190 g (6.7 oz), while the male weighs 113 to 178 g (4 to 6.5 oz). Their wingspans are about 23 inches (60 cm), and they are about 15 inches (35 cm) in length.

Not all Belted Kingfishers are migratory

Those of us in the northern part of the belted Kingfishers range like Canada, see the bird migrate to Central America, the West Indies, Mexico, and the southern US. They traditionally return in late March to breed.

The others, who ‘know when they’ve got it good’ stay in warmer climates year-round.

Learn more about Female Belted Kingfishers

 

Sources

Belted Kingfisher, the 2023 ABA Bird of the Year! (2023). American Bird Association. https://www.aba.org/belted-kingfisher-the-2023-aba-bird-of-the-year/

Five Fun Facts About… The Belted Kingfisher. (2022, February 26). Este Park News. https://www.estesparknews.com/estes_valley_spotlight/article_50cae16a-8458-11ec-9bf7-c73b683d22a4.html

Belted kingfisher. (2025, May 6). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belted_kingfisher

Alberta Birds. (2024, August 25). Birthe Parker’s Post. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/AlbertaBirds/posts/8078790952205129/

Belted Kingfisher – Megaceryle alcyon. (2025). Cornell University. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/overview

Why do female Belted Kingfishers have an extra rust-colored “belt” that the males don’t have? (2025). Cornell University. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-do-female-belted-kingfishers-have-an-extra-rust-colored-belt-that-the-males-dont-have/

How Kingfishers Dive Head-First Into Water Without Getting Concussions: Thanks to a new genetic analysis of 30 kingfisher species, researchers are one step closer to understanding the birds’ dramatic hunting style. (2025). Smithsonian. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-kingfishers-dive-head-first-into-water-without-getting-concussions-180983214/

Belted Kingfisher Range Map. (2025). Cornell University. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/maps-range