Belted Kingfisher

Spending time on Tennessee’s rivers often comes with unexpected wildlife moments, and few birds are as memorable as the Belted Kingfisher.

The Belted Kingfisher is one of the most recognizable birds along Tennessee’s rivers and lakes. With its spiky crest and loud, rattling call, this bird rarely goes unnoticed once it makes its presence known.

Kingfishers are built for fishing. With strong bills and keen eyesight, they dive straight into the water to catch small fish, often returning to the same perch again and again. They favor calm stretches of rivers and lakes, making the Tennessee River a perfect place to find them year‑round.

One interesting fact about the Belted Kingfisher is that the female is more brightly colored than the male — a rare trait in the bird world. These birds nest in burrows carved into riverbanks, relying on natural shorelines to raise their young. Because of this, healthy river systems are essential to their survival.

Seeing a Belted Kingfisher dart across the water or hearing its call from the shoreline is a reminder of just how alive Tennessee’s rivers truly are — and why time spent on the water always brings something special.