Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

The Ringed Kingfisher is a large, distinctive kingfisher found in the Americas. It has a shaggy crest and a large bill, and is known for its loud, rattling call. This species is often found near water, where it perches on branches or other elevated spots to hunt for fish and small aquatic animals. It is a solitary bird and is territorial, often defending its fishing spots from other individuals. The Ringed Kingfisher is a skilled and agile hunter, diving into the water to catch its prey. It is a striking and charismatic bird that is a delight to observe in its natural habitat.

Habitat: Rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal areas

Ringed Kingfisher
© Giles Laurent · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

Birding in the Colombian Andes - Araucana Lodge: Choco Endemics Bonanza
Birding in the Colombian Andes - Araucana Lodge: Choco Endemics Bonanza
Colombia Group tour 9 days | 0h

Experience one of Colombia’s most spectacular birding adventures on this 8-day journey through the Chocó Bioregion and the Western Andes....

From 2495.00 USD Next: 2026-08-15
Amazon Bird Lodge Birding Stay with Otto Valerio
Amazon Bird Lodge Birding Stay with Otto Valerio
Colombia / Puerto Narino Private tour 3 days | 0h

A lodge-based Amazonas Birding stay at Amazon Bird Lodge, using early morning, forest, river and lodge-edge birding around Puerto Narino....

From 0.00 USD
PNN Amacayacu Amazon Birding Route
PNN Amacayacu Amazon Birding Route
Colombia / Puerto Narino Private tour 1 day | 8h

A private Amazonas Birding review route for birding around Amacayacu National Natural Park in the Colombian Amazon....

From 0.00 USD
Lago Tarapoto Birding and Wetland Route
Lago Tarapoto Birding and Wetland Route
Colombia / Puerto Narino Private tour 1 day | 6h

A private wetland and lake birding route at Lago Tarapoto near Puerto Narino with Amazonas Birding....

From 0.00 USD
Amazon River Islands Birding Route with Amazonas Birding
Amazon River Islands Birding Route with Amazonas Birding
Colombia / Leticia Private tour 1 day | 7h

A boat-supported Amazon River island birding route for river-island, riparian and open-river species near the Colombia Amazon frontier....

From 0.00 USD
Leticia Amazon Birding Day with Otto Valerio
Leticia Amazon Birding Day with Otto Valerio
Colombia / Leticia Private tour 1 day | 6h

A private birding day based around Leticia, the main Colombian Amazon access city, with route planning by Otto Valerio / Amazonas Birding....

From 0.00 USD
Puerto Narino Amazon Birding Route with Otto Valerio
Puerto Narino Amazon Birding Route with Otto Valerio
Colombia / Puerto Narino Private tour 1 day | 6h

A private Amazonas Birding route around Puerto Narino for Amazon rainforest, riverbank and community-edge birding with Otto Valerio....

From 0.00 USD
Private Concepcion Antioquia Birding with Luis Ceballos
Private Concepcion Antioquia Birding with Luis Ceballos
Colombia / Concepcion Private tour 1 day | 6h

Private birdwatching in the rural landscapes around Concepcion, Antioquia with local guide Luis Fernando Ceballos Osorio....

From 0.00 USD
Texas Coast Grand Slam Birding Tour — Past Programme
Texas Coast Grand Slam Birding Tour — Past Programme
United States / Galveston Group tour 8 days | 0h

A documented eight-day spring migration route from Galveston to McAllen, combining Texas coast birding with Rio Grande Valley specialities....

From 0.00 USD
12-Day Yucatan Peninsula Birding Tour
12-Day Yucatan Peninsula Birding Tour
Mexico / Cancun Group tour 12 days | 0h

A 12-day Yucatan birding tour exploring the peninsula, southern forests near the Guatemala and Belize borders, Rio Lagartos, Calakmul and Co...

From 0.00 USD
Osorio and Maquine Birdwatching Route with Roberto Botelho
Osorio and Maquine Birdwatching Route with Roberto Botelho
Brazil / Osorio Private tour 1 day | 0h

Private birdwatching route with Roberto Botelho in Osorio, prepared as a draft for tour planning....

Signature Caroni Bird Sanctuary Boat Tour
Signature Caroni Bird Sanctuary Boat Tour
Trinidad and Tobago / Caroni Group tour 1 day | 2.5h

A classic late-afternoon boat tour through Caroni Swamp mangroves for Scarlet Ibis roosting, herons, egrets, caimans and wetland wildlife....

From 20.00 USD