Amazon Kingfisher

The Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) is a resident breeding kingfisher in the lowlands of the American tropics from southern Mexico south through Central America to northern Argentina. The Amazon kingfisher is similar to the green kingfisher, whose range it shares, although it is larger and three to four times heavier than the related. It is 30 cm long and weighs between 98 and 140 g. It has a short tail and a large bill, which are characteristics of kingfishers. It has an oily green exterior and a white collar around its neck, as well as a shaggy crest. It doesn't have the green kingfisher's white wing markings.

With the exception of a wide chestnut breast band and a few green streaks on the flanks, males have white underparts. Females have white underparts with green streaks and patches on the side of the chest. Young birds have white patches on their wings but seem similar to adult females. These birds often give a harsh teck call. The rarely heard song, given from a tree top, is a whistled see see see see.