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Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Bird · family Alcedinidae · order Coraciiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Belted Kingfisher
Photo: Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA ( en:User:Kevinlcole ), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
50 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
5 years[4]

The Belted Kingfisher is a fish-eating bird in the family Alcedinidae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Belted Kingfisher a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. In the United States its rank is N5B,N5N, which is Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. USFWS data show it is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is still on the federal list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected

Where Belted Kingfisher lives

NatureServe lists the Belted Kingfisher as native in 50 US states and territories, including the District of Columbia[3]. The list includes Alaska, Florida, California, Texas, New York and Maine[3]. State ranks vary from state to state, and NatureServe has not yet ranked California[9].

Alaska: native, state rank S5AKMaine: native, state rank S3N,S5BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S4BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S5WAIdaho: native, state rank S4IDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5B,S5NMAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S3NVWyoming: native, state rank S5B,S5NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5BSDIowa: native, state rank S4BIAIndiana: native, state rank S4INOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S4BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S3B,S3NUTColorado: native, state rank S5BCONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMOKentucky: native, state rank S4B,S4NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3B,S3NWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S4BMDDelaware: native, state rank S4DEArizona: native, state rank S2B,S5NAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S3B,S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S3BKSArkansas: native, state rank S3ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S2N,S2BDCOklahoma: native, state rank S4OKLouisiana: native, state rank S4LAMississippi: native, state rank S5MSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5BTXFlorida: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[9].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
AlaskaS5Secure
ArizonaS2B,S5NImperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
ArkansasS3Vulnerable
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5BSecure (breeding)
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS4Apparently Secure
District of ColumbiaS2N,S2BImperiled (nonbreeding), Imperiled (breeding)
FloridaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoS4Apparently Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4Apparently Secure
IowaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
KansasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
KentuckyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS4Apparently Secure
MaineS3N,S5BVulnerable (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
MarylandS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MassachusettsS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MississippiS5Secure
MissouriSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
NevadaS3Vulnerable
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaS4Apparently Secure
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS5BSecure (breeding)
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5BSecure (breeding)
UtahS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
VermontS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonS5Secure
West VirginiaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)
WyomingS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

This bird lives mostly along water, both fresh and salty, such as lakes, streams, creeks, rivers, seacoasts, bays and estuaries[10]. NatureServe records habitat types like riparian areas, wetlands, rivers, creeks, tidal flats and lagoons[11]. It perches on trees, posts and utility wires[10]. It usually nests in a burrow that both parents dig in a bank, and the bank is usually close to water but not in every case[10].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[11]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Belted Kingfisher eats mainly fish, and NatureServe records its diet as piscivore[12][13]. The fish average about 9 cm long[12]. It dives into the water from a hover or from a perch[12]. EltonTraits estimates its diet at 70% fish, 10% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians and 10% invertebrates[14]. Adults are typically 33 cm (13 in) long[15]. A typical adult weighs 148 g[16]. Clutches are 5 to 8 eggs, and the young leave the nest at 30 to 35 days[17]. The oldest known wild bird in banding records was at least 5 years 3 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 33 cm (13 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 148 g (5.2 oz)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 5 years 3 months
Food habits[13] Piscivore
Migration[18] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[14]

  • 70% fish
  • 10% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

The Belted Kingfisher is active by day[19]. Northern birds that breed away from the coast migrate, while NatureServe says some populations are non-migrant, local migrants or long-distance migrants[20][18]. Migrants spend time in Central America and the West Indies, mostly between September and early April[20]. On GBIF, most US records fall in April, September and October[21]. These records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[21].

January: 481,156 recordsJanFebruary: 357,799 recordsFebMarch: 390,375 recordsMarApril: 586,318 recordsAprMay: 436,016 recordsMayJune: 226,623 recordsJunJuly: 303,533 recordsJulAugust: 467,550 recordsAugSeptember: 637,153 recordsSepOctober: 629,408 recordsOctNovember: 515,994 recordsNovDecember: 484,966 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[21].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January481,156
February357,799
March390,375
April586,318
May436,016
June226,623
July303,533
August467,550
September637,153
October629,408
November515,994
December484,966

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Belted Kingfisher as present in 87 park units[22]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 63 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Florida, California, New York, Washington, Texas[23]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Belted Kingfisher endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Where does the Belted Kingfisher live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 50 US states and territories[3]. It lives mostly along fresh and salt water, such as rivers, lakes, bays and seacoasts[10].
What does the Belted Kingfisher eat?
It eats mainly fish, and sometimes other vertebrates and invertebrates[12]. EltonTraits estimates 70% fish in its diet[14].
How big is a Belted Kingfisher?
NatureServe records a typical length of 33 cm (13 in)[15]. It records a typical weight of 148 g[16].
How long does a Belted Kingfisher live?
The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 5 years 3 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Belted Kingfisher is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Belted Kingfisher: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Belted Kingfisher as native in 50 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Belted Kingfisher from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 5 years 3 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a bird in the family Alcedinidae, order Coraciiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Belted Kingfisher is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe state ranks for Belted Kingfisher (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on habitat for Belted Kingfisher. NatureServe Explorer
  11. Habitat types NatureServe records for Belted Kingfisher: Herbaceous wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian, Big river, Medium river, Creek, Moderate gradient, Low gradient, Shallow water, Bay/sound, River mouth/tidal river, Lagoon, Tidal flat/shore,... NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Belted Kingfisher. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Piscivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% fish, 10% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 33 cm (13 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 148 g (5.2 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Belted Kingfisher. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe migration category for Belted Kingfisher: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  20. NatureServe notes on migration for Belted Kingfisher. NatureServe Explorer
  21. GBIF observation records of Belted Kingfisher in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  22. NPSpecies park lists recording Belted Kingfisher as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  23. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Belted Kingfisher: Florida, California, New York, Washington, Texas. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA ( en:User:Kevinlcole ), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.