Belted Kingfisher

Behaviour:
They perch or hover over open water, waiting for prey. When one is sighted, they dive headfirst into the water to capture it.

Habitat(s):
Rivers, lakes, and saltwater estuaries.

Feeding:
Small fish are its primary diet, although it will feed on large insects and even frogs.

Threats:
Hawks

Interesting fact:
To avoid being eaten by hawks, they will dive into the water.

Wintering:
They fly from all across Canada as far south as northern South America.

Migration:
Breeds from Alaska to Newfoundland and southward to parts of the United States. Then they fly south for winter.

Description:
An upper blue body; with a white band around the neck and a white spot in front of each eye. They have large crested heads; straight pointed bill; short legs with small feet. Females are similar to males.

Nest:
Likes to dig a nesting burrow near its fishing territory. They make an unlined compartment at the end of a long tunnel dug in the sand or a gravel bank.

Number of eggs:
5-8, white.

Babies:
Born without feathers and brooded by the female, while males feed them. The young leave the nest 33 to 38 days after hatching.

Source: Bird Web, 2007 (http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx), Borealforest, 2007 (http://www.borealforest.org/birds/kingfisher.html)