Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

martín pescador verde

Voice: Commonly heard vocalization is its soft, dry ticking rattle; also makes “squishy” buzzing call and high-pitched squealing noises.

Listen (MP3, 39.7 KB)

Download an audio player

Status: Uncommon resident along rivers, resacas, and irrigation ditches throughout the Valley. Fairly common, although often inconspicuous, along large forested tracts of the Rio Grande.

Habitat: Riparian woodlands; shade trees on the banks of rivers and resacas, preferring sheltered pools.

Best Spots: Estero Llano Grande State Park, Riparian woodlands in the Santa Ana NWR and Falcon Dam area, including Salineño and Chapeño. A virtual “can’t miss” bird on Friends of the Wildlife Corridor canoe trips. Sometimes seen at Willow 1 at Santa Ana NWR, the ephemeral resaca at Bentsen SP, the Resaca Trail Loop at Sabal Palm Grove, and the World Birding Center’s Edinburg Scenic Wetlands among others.

Similar Species: This small kingfisher is unlike both Belted and Ringed Kingfisher in size, plumage, and manner of flight. In contrast to the two larger kingfishers, Green Kingfishers perch on low branches and fly low over the water’s surface.

<< Select another bird species

Green Kingfisher - Range Map

All content is copyright of World Birding Center unless otherwise noted.