Water Kingfishers
Amazon Kingfisher
29 December 2011 22:12

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Amazon Kingfisher
Latin: Chloroceryle amazona
Other: Martim-pescador-verde (Br) • Martín pescador amazónico (Es)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Mexico to Argentina, including all Brazil
Similar: Green Kingfisher
The Amazon Kingfisher is a large river kingfisher. The male Amazon Kingfisher (pictured directly below) has a rufous chest. The female Amazon Kingfisher (above) has white and green markings. They are much larger than Green Kingfishers and have less white wing spotting than the latter.
Several near Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal in August, above ditches beside small roads and above rivers.
Also seen in Amazonia above river banks and in Rio Grande do Sul on telephone wires above wetlands.
Below: a male Amazon Kingfisher in the Pantanal.

Below: a female Amazon Kingfisher in the Pantanal, August.
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Ringed Kingfisher
29 December 2011 22:12

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Ringed Kingfisher
Latin: Megaceryle torquata
Other: Martim-pescador-grande (Br) • Martín pescador grande, Martín pescador de collar (Es)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Texas to Tierra del Fuego, including all of Brazil
Similar:
The Ringed Kingfisher is a large kingfisher, which seemed abundant on the banks of the Rio Claro, in the Pantanal, in August; one was perched every few hundred metres in some places. A large, dominant and vocal bird. Also seen beside roads near drying pools, and in by the river in Napo, Ecuador.
The female Ringed Kingfisher (directly below) has a grey chest, while the male (above) is rufous right up to the white neck line. Bill has a light yellow patch on lower base. Rufous belly, grey wings, white collar, large white patch in front of eye; grey plumage is diagnostic.
Below: female Ringed Kingfisher in the Pantanal, Brazil, 2011.
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