Ceryle alcyon

The belted kingfisher is the most widespread of the kingfishers that occur in North America. It can be found throughout Utah, always along waterways, lakes and ponds. It will persist in winter, if it can find open water.

The kingfisher's call is a loud, dry rattle that announces its presence. The bird often hunts while hovering over water or from a stream side perch. It feeds exclusively on small fish, which it catches by diving head first into the water.

These are beautiful birds, just over a foot in length. Both sexes have a slate blue breast band. The female has an additional rust belly band. The female's bands are often referred to by birders as two necklaces. Both feature a large ragged crest.

During breeding season the belted kingfisher pair defends a territory that includes a streambed and the vegetation along it, and averages .6 miles in length. A unique feature of the kingfisher is its nest location and construction. It digs an upward sloping burrow, up to eight feet into a stream bank to make its nest chamber. Bank erosion is often a limiting factor for suitable kingfisher habitat.

Bill Fenimore, owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center (www.wildbird.com/layton), is author of Backyard Birds of Utah and a member of the Utah Wildlife Board.