The Western Belted Kingfisher 



WESTERN BELTED KINGFISHER 



remaining underparts pure white. Bill black, changing to yellow at base of lower 

 mandible; feet dark with yellow soles. Adult female: Similar, but with sides, axil- 

 Iaries, and an irregular band across lower breast, cinnamon-rufous. Immature: Like 

 adults, except that slaty blue band of chest is heavily mixed with rusty. Length 

 3I7-50-355-6 (12.50-14.00); wing 163 (6.42); tail 92 (3.62); bill 59.3 (2.33); tarsus 11.4 

 (.45). Females slightly larger. 



Recognition Marks. — "Kingfisher" size; blue-gray and white coloration; pisca- 

 torial habits; rattling cry. 



Nesting. — Nest: At end of tunnel in bank, 4 to 6 feet in, unlined. Eggs: 

 6 to 8; pure white. Av. size 33.3 x 26.4 (1.31 x 1.04). Season: May; one brood. 



Range of Megaceryle alcyon. — North America and northern South America. 

 Breeds from Mackenzie and Labrador south to southern border of the United States; 

 winters from British Columbia, Nebraska, Ohio, and Virginia, south through the 

 West Indies to Guiana and Colombia. 



Range of M. a. caurina. — Western North America, east to and including the 

 Rocky Mountains; breeding from northern Alaska south at least to southern California; 

 wintering irregularly from British Columbia south through western Mexico and Lower 

 California. 



Distribution in California. — Common migrant both east and west of the 

 Sierras. A common breeder in northern portion of the State and along the Sierras to 

 Yosemite Valley and Owens Valley; also breeding and possibly sedentary south, 

 regularly, to Santa Barbara, Santa Paula, and Santa Cruz Island. In winter common 



W50 



