Ringed Kingfisher
Megaceryle torquata

f6.7 @ 1/2000s, ISO:1600, Nikon D3S w 500mm and 1.7X teleconverter


"Ringed Kingfisher," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The ringed kingfisher is a large, conspicuous and noisy kingfisher commonly found along the lower Rio Grande valley in southeastern most Texas in the United States through Central America to Tierra del Fuego in South America. The breeding habitat is areas near large bodies of water, usually in heavily wooded areas where it finds a perch to hunt from. It is mostly a sedentary species, remaining in territories all year long. It is 40 to 41 cm (16–16 in) long, with deep blue or bluish-gray plumage with white markings, a shaggy crest and a broad white collar around the neck. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the entirely rufous belly, which also covers the entire breast of the male. Females are more colorful than the male and have a bluish-gray breast and a narrow white stripe separating the breast from the belly.
Darien Province, Panama
 
03/04/2017