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Definition of belted kingfisher
belted kingfisher
Plural:belted kingfishers
belted kingfisher Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A large, conspicuous water bird (Megaceryle alcyon) native to North America, characterized by a shaggy crest, a sturdy bill, and a distinct blue-grey or rufous band across its white breast.
Example
"While hiking along the river, we spotted a belted kingfisher diving swiftly into the water to catch a small fish."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from the bird's distinctive plumage, featuring a prominent blue-grey or rusty 'belt' across its white breast, combined with 'kingfisher', referring to its exceptional fish-catching abilities.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Belted kingfisher. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/belted kingfisher