The American green kingfishers are native to tropical Central and South America, with one species extending north to south Texas.
They comprise four species:
- Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
- Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
- Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Chloroceryle inda
- American Pygmy Kingfisher, Chloroceryle aenea
Breeding / Nesting
The American green kingfishers breed by streams in forests or mangroves.
They nest in long horizontal tunnels made in a river bank.
Description
They have the typical kingfisher shape, with a short tail and long bill.
All are plumaged oily green above, and the underpart colour shows an interesting pattern insofar as the smallest and second largest, American Pygmy Kingfisher and Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, have rufous underparts, whereas the largest and second smallest,
Amazon Kingfisher and Green Kingfisher, have white underparts with only the males also having a rufous breast band.
Diet / Feeding
American Green Kingfisher mostly feed on crustaceans and fish caught by the usual kingfisher technique of a dive from a perch or brief hover, although the American Pygmy Kingfisher will hawk at insects in flight.
