Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Megaceryle (large + a bird mentioned by Aristotle) alcyon (kingfisher)

Adult female Belted Kingfisher (subspecies Mageceryle alycon) at Necedah, Wisconsin, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 113-178g  /  Length: 28-35cm  /  Wingspan: 48-58cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Out of the USA's four regular Kingfisher species, the Belted is by far the most ubiquitous, with the other three largely limited to the Southern Border in Texas. A large bird capable of occupying diverse habitats, it's breeding range stretches as far as Alaska and Winters as far as South America. Unlike many species, it is the female which has the brighter plumage, with the male lacking the orange colouration.

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
Genus: Megaceryle
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Widely distributed Summer migrant.

 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Heard at several locations, but not seen.

 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: : Seen at Necedah, Wisconsin and Anchorage, Alaska among others

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") buccinator ("trumpeter")

Adult and two juvenile Trumpter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) at Anchorage, Alaska, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 7-13kg  /  Length: 140-165cm  /  Wingspan: 185-300cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Among the heaviest flying birds in the world, the Trumpeter swan has a larger average mass than its nearest rivals and by most other metrics a close second. It breeds in numerous pockets of area in the US and Alaska, though it's Wintering it more centred on the pacific coasts, though there are patches where it is resident.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

A widely distributed species in the Northern States of the lower 48 and Alaska.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen at Necedah, Wisconsin and Anchorage, Alaska 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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