Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher Nov 2023 Matanzas © Yadiel Veunes Alonso

The Belted Kingfisher is a common winter resident in Cuba. It is found during the summer throughout North America but the birds in northern parts migrate south from the areas where the rivers and lakes freeze over making it impossible for them to catch the fish and water invertebrates on which they feed.

Belted Kingfisher Nov 2023 Matanzas © Yadiel Veunes Alonso

It is one of the few birds where the females are more brightly coloured than the males which lack the bright orange tones on the flanks and band across the breast.

Belted Kingfisher Nov 2023 Matanzas © Yadiel Veunes Alonso

Here in Britain this is an extremely rare bird and indeed the fact that it is able to cross the Atlantic is amazing. There have been just eleven records in the UK to date, and more in Ireland and Spain. The first was back in 1979 in Cornwall and I and a few friends went down to see it. 

Belted Kingfisher Nov 2023 Matanzas © Yadiel Veunes Alonso

I suspect this picture above is a first winter female as it has started growing a few orange feathers on its flanks. All these wonderful pictures were taken in Matanzas, Cuba recently by Yadiel Veunes Alonso. Well done Yadiel.