Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona

Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona. Photograph taken in the coastal region of Costa Rica, February 2016 and February 2023. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.

Background and Identification

The Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona, is in the Alcedinidae family of Kingfishers. They are monotypic. They are one of one hundred seventeen species in this family, divided into eighteen genera. They are known in Mexico as  martín pescador amazónico.

The Amazon Kingfisher is medium in stature and about 30 cm (12 inches) in length. These birds are dark green on their head and back, down to the tail. There is a band of white at the nape and throat. They have a strong, black bill and a dark brown iris. The belly is mostly white but can have yellow or brown areas. The sexes are monomorphic; however, the males have a reddish-brown breast and the females are slightly smaller with lighter-colored breasts with a thin green band. Their legs are short and both legs and feet are black.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Rivers, lakes, and wooded lagoons are common habitats of the Amazon Kingfisher. They can also be found in brackish areas like tidal estuaries. They are most observed in open areas. To catch prey, the Amazon Kingfisher perches in trees and then dives into the water to catch them. Fish and crustaceans are typical prey. They can be found hunting in the morning and evening. The nests of these Kingfishers are typically dug into the mud of a riverbank or erosion gulley, near a water source. Both males and females create the nest, incubate eggs, and feed young. Clutches consist of three or four eggs. The nests may be used for several years if stable. The Amazon Kingfisher is a non-migratory bird. It is found in central and coastal Mexico, and through Central America into Colombia. They can also be found within the Amazon Rainforest.

The Amazon kingfisher is found from the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Tamaulipas south through Central America. In a separate geographical area, they can be found east of the Andes Mountain Range in every South American country except Chile, as far south as central Argentina.

Common Misidentifications

The Amazon Kingfisher is easily confused with the Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana (significantly smaller and is found in areas with heavier coverage when hunting). Females of the two species are more easily distinguished, female Amazon Kingfishers have one colored breast band, and female Green Kingfishers have two.

Conservation Status

From a conservation perspective, the Amazon Kingfisher is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable widely distributed populations.