The Eastern Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle Alcyon Alcyon (Linnaeus), in Relation to Fish Management

Abstract

The kingfisher is the most common and universally distributed bird predator of fish in Michigan. Its principal migration routes are along the Great Lakes shores. Nesting territories are established along streams and lake shores; they are usually larger in the former than in the latter. The kingfisher is diurnal in its feeding with three peaks of activity–morning, afternoon, and early evening. First feeding of fledgelings is on insects; this food is followed by crayfish, then by fish. Fish eaten average about 2.3 inches in length and at fish hatcheries are mostly the species being propagated. On natural waters the food consists mostly of non‐food and non‐game fishes and crayfish. Predation pressure varies with season and within season according to weather, nest distribution, and environmental suitabliity of waters for feeding activity. Because of their feeding proclivities, it is undesirable to have kingfishers about fish hatcheries and rearing stations. At present, general control on natural waters is not biologically justified.

Birds Are Overlooked Top Predators in Aquatic Food Webs

“…1), as well as decreasing the numbers of 80-120 mm striped shiners and central stonerollers (Fig. Diet studies also show that avian predators usually consume certain size classes of the most abundant fish species (e.g., 80-120 mm total length for Belted Kingfishers [Salyer and Lagler 1946], 100-200 mm total length for Great Cormorants [Hatch et al 2000]). Diet studies also show that avian predators usually consume certain size classes of the most abundant fish species (e.g., 80-120 mm total length for Belted Kingfishers [Salyer and Lagler 1946], 100-200 mm total length for Great Cormorants [Hatch et al 2000]).…”

Depth distribution of Campostoma grazing scars in an Ozark stream

“…2 of Power & Matthews 1983). Herons and kingfishers fish most commonly and effectively in water less than 20 cm deep (Salyer & Lagler 1949, Whitfield & Blaber 1978, Kushlan 1978, Whitfield & Cyrus 1978, Boag 1982, Kaiser 1982, Kramer et al 1983, Power 1984. Larger Campostoma, which occupy deeper areas than smaller individuals (Fig.…”

Mercury in streams at Grand Portage National Monument (Minnesota, USA): Assessment of ecosystem sensitivity and ecological risk

“…Each of these species is distributed across much of the United States and Canada, and each forages in a diverse array of aquatic habitats, with small fish typically composing half (mink) or most (belted kingfisher) of their diet (Salyer and Lagler, 1949;Davis, 1982;Evers et al, 2005;Basu et al, 2007;Kelly et al, 2009). The belted kingfisher and mink are both considered highly sensitive to MeHg, and each has been used in assessments of ecological risks of MeHg in aquatic food webs (Lazorchak et al, 2003;Basu et al, 2007;Scheuhammer et al, 2007;Walters et al, 2010).…”