Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana

Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana. Photograph taken within the Caño Negro Wetlands National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Costa Rica, February 2023. Photograph and identification courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.

Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana. Photograph taken in the greater Alamos area, Sonora, November 2019. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Background and Identification

Habitat and Geographical Range

Common Misidentifications

Conservation Status

The Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana, is a member of the Alcedinidae Family of Kingfishers. They are mid-sized in stature. They are found throughout Mexico with the exception of Baja California, Baja California Sur, southern Chihuahua and western Sonora, at elevations below 2,100 m (6,900 feet). From a conservation perspective the Green Kingfisher is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are found within wooded shorelines of freshwater lakes, ponds and streams. They prey on small fishes, shrimp and aquatic insects.