Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
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Food To catch fish, the Kingfisher sits on a branch and sticks its head into the water or it makes short dives. It beats the fish's head on a limb, thrown it in the air, catches it in its mouth, and swallows. It catches bullfrog tadpoles in the same way. It also eats crabs, frogs, insects, young birds, mice, and berries.
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Migration Kingfishers are found in the summer throughout the United States and Canada. They migrate for winter to the Pacific Coast and the Southern United States.
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Habitat Rivers, lakes, and saltwater estuaries.
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Nesting Kingfishers nest in a horizontal burrow dug in clay, sand, or gravel banks of rivers, ponds, or railroad cuts. The nest is unlined, 3-7 feet long, and 3-4 inches in diameter. There is a nest chamber lined with fish bones and scales at the end of the burrow. Usually there are 6-7 white eggs.
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