Megaceryle

Megaceryle is a genus of very large kingfishers. It comprises four species:

• Giant Kingfisher, Megaceryle maxima
• Crested Kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris
• Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
• Ringed Kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata

All are specialist fish-eaters with prominent stiff crests on their heads. They have dark grey or bluish-grey upperparts, largely unmarked in the two American species, but heavily spotted with white in the Asian Crested Kingfisher and the African Giant Kingfisher. The underparts may be white or rufous, and all forms have a contrasting breast band except male Ringed Kingfisher. The underpart pattern is always different for the two sexes of each species.

These birds nest in horizontal tunnels made in a river bank or sand bank. Both parents excavate the tunnel, incubate the eggs and feed the young.

Megaceryle kingfishers are often seen perched prominently on trees, posts, or other suitable watch-points close to water before plunging in head first after their prey, usually fish, crustaceans or frogs, but sometimes aquatic insects and other suitably sized animals.