What is the scientific name for the common Belted Kingfisher species in the US?
Answer
Megaceryle alcyon
The specific bird dominating the birding scene across the United States is identified scientifically as *Megaceryle alcyon*, commonly known as the Belted Kingfisher. This designation distinguishes it from the broader family classification, Alcedinidae, which encompasses worldwide fish-eaters. While the text notes the existence of other related species in the Americas, such as the Green Kingfisher, *Megaceryle alcyon* is the established binomial nomenclature for the widespread species recognized by its blue-gray plumage, shaggy crest, and long bill throughout the lower 48 states.
Related Questions
What is the scientific name for the common Belted Kingfisher species in the US?What specific structural feature is required in earthen banks for Belted Kingfisher successful breeding?What is the most reliable sensory clue for locating an obscured Belted Kingfisher?Which Southern states are cited as typically hosting year-round resident populations of the kingfisher?What primary environmental event forces migratory populations from the Northern Tier south for the winter?What specific waterway feature do kingfishers favor when inhabiting the West region?Why are heavily vegetated floodplains generally unsuitable for successful Belted Kingfisher reproduction?Which states represent the complex, transitional migratory zone for the Belted Kingfisher according to the provided map zones?Besides small fish, what two other primary food sources are listed in the Belted Kingfisher's diet?How is the Green Kingfisher visually distinguished from the more common Belted Kingfisher?