The green-and-rufous kingfisher is a species of "water kingfisher" in subfamily Cerylinae of family Alcedinidae. It is found in the American tropics from Nicaragua to Panama and in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
Region
Tropical Americas
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Nicaragua through Costa Rica and Panama and widely across northern and central South America east of the Andes, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, much of Amazonia, and parts of eastern Brazil and northern Bolivia. It is absent from Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay and generally avoids high Andean elevations and very open, arid landscapes. The species favors lowland evergreen forest, gallery forest, mangroves, and swampy floodplains. Most records are along slow, shaded streams, oxbow lakes, and blackwater creeks within intact forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small Neotropical kingfisher favors shaded forest creeks and quiet backwaters rather than large open rivers. Males show rich rufous underparts, while females have more green mottling and a partial green breast band. It can be confused with the Green Kingfisher, but looks warmer below and often shows bold white spotting on the wings. Sensitive to riparian habitat loss, it benefits from intact forested stream corridors.
At Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
low, direct flight over water with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically perches quietly low over water, sallying to plunge-dive for prey. Pairs defend linear stretches of stream and nest by tunneling into earthen banks. Both sexes excavate the burrow and share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, high-pitched ticks and rattling chatters, often given in short series. Calls carry well along forested waterways, especially at dawn.
