Which Southern states are cited as typically hosting year-round resident populations of the kingfisher?

Answer

Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida

The residency status of the Belted Kingfisher varies geographically based on climate and water availability. In the southern tier of the United States, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico, kingfishers generally maintain permanent residency throughout the entire year. This year-round presence is sustained because aquatic feeding opportunities, requiring open water, typically persist without interruption throughout the winter months. The specific states mentioned that fit this description are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, contrasting sharply with the northern areas where ice cover forces migration.

Which Southern states are cited as typically hosting year-round resident populations of the kingfisher?
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