Chloroceryle amazona (Amazon Kingfisher): Amazon Kingfisher of the Pantanal
Introduction
The Amazon kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) is one of the most characteristic species of the Pantanal avifauna. It features shiny metallic green plumage on the upper parts, with a white collar and a rusty breast (male) or white with green streaks (female). This species is part of the rich bird diversity of the Pantanal, a biome that hosts more than 650 species and is considered one of the world’s best destinations for birdwatching [1] [2].
Scientific Classification
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | Chloroceryle |
| Species | Chloroceryle amazona |
| Common Name | Amazon Kingfisher |
Description
Shiny metallic green plumage on the upper parts, with a white collar and a rusty breast (male) or white with green streaks (female). It has a long, dark bill and a short tail. Its length varies between 28-30 cm and its weight between 85-120 g.
Geographic Distribution
From Mexico to northern Argentina. In Brazil, it is the most common kingfisher. In the Pantanal, it occurs in all bodies of water, from large rivers to small corixos.
Habitat
Banks of rivers, lakes, bays, and corixos. It prefers clear waters with marginal vegetation for perching and observing prey.
Behavior
Solitary or in pairs. It hunts from low perches over the water, plunge-diving for prey. It flies close to the water surface and emits a metallic, repetitive call.
Feeding
Small and medium-sized fish captured by plunge-diving. It also consumes shrimp, aquatic insects, and small amphibians.
Reproduction
It excavates tunnels in earth banks. It lays 3-5 white eggs. Incubation lasts 22 days, with both parents participating.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. Abundant in the Pantanal.
References
[1] SICK, H. (1997). Ornitologia Brasileira. Nova Fronteira. [2] TUBELIS, D.P.; TOMAS, W.M. (2003). Bird species of the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Ararajuba, v.11, n.1. [3] DEL HOYO, J. et al. (1992). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions. [4] IUCN. (2023). Chloroceryle amazona. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [5] COLLAR, N.J. et al. (1992). Threatened Birds of the Americas. ICBP.
