The River Rat of the Bird World Belted Kingfisher

by Gerry Smith, Consulting Ornithologist Its striking colors and loud rattling call make this species hard to miss as it flies along our shorelines. The only member of its tribe found throughout North America, this uncommon, but widely distributed bird occurs wherever suitable habitat exists. And as its name indicates, it feeds mostly on small and medium sized fish procured by shallow water dives. We usually see them and hear their loud rattle call as they fly above the water’s surface or perch on an overhanging branch.

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