Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
About This Species
A small kingfisher of streams, rivers and mangrove edges from the southern United States through Central and South America, usually seen perched low over water on an overhanging branch or snag. Watch for its habit of bobbing its head and tail before diving for small fish and aquatic insects, and note the male's rufous breast band against the female's green-spotted one. Best looked for at quiet, clear water margins in early morning when fish are active near the surface.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Approach slowly and stay well back from a favoured perch, since kingfishers are easily flushed and will abandon a good fishing spot if repeatedly disturbed.
- As a widespread, common species it carries no special legal protection beyond general wildlife laws in its range countries, but patience from a distance with binoculars gives better views than pushing closer.
- Avoid disturbing riverbank vegetation used as perches, since suitable perches over clear water can be limited.
LCAvesCoraciiformesAlcedinidae
Seasonal Activity
339,040 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
Photo
(c) Paul Cools, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Paul Cools
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.