Belted Kingfisher

October 7, 2014 in Nearby Landbirds

Belted Kingfishers can be seen in Lawrence at many locations up and down the Merrimack River.  It is a familiar species in eastern Massachusetts and very common near freshwater with suitable banks for nest burrows.  Kingfishers feed by plunge diving typically from a perch.  It will plunge from as much as 20-40 feet into the water and then return to the perch to knock the prey (usually fish) senseless; and then  flip it into the air and send it down the hatch!  This Kingfisher was seen in flight over the Merrimack in Lawrence just east of Rt. 495.