Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)
The kingfisher is an emblematic bird of southern Chile, found from the Biobío Region to Tierra del Fuego. It inhabits the banks of rivers, lakes, lagoons, or marshes, and feeds mainly on fish, diving in quick plunges to fish, which makes it an agile and surprising hunter. Its diet can also include amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. Watching it in action is a true spectacle of Patagonian nature. It has a characteristic blue plumage and orange chest, and can measure between 43 to 45 cm. The female and male are similar, but there is a feature that distinguishes them, the male has an almost completely reddish chest, while in the female a blue-gray strip is observed that separates the reddish color with a white line.
Conservation status: Least concern.