This majestically crested bird is often heard before being seen due to its conspicuous harsh rattling call.

Kingfishers are most frequently associated with lake and pond shorelines and islands, as well as coastal dunes with ponds and widely scattered shrubs and trees. They hunt from a vantage point above water such as an overhead branch, telephone wires along shore lines or pilings of piers.

This is a common permanent resident throughout most of the state except in the north Lake and east Deschutes counties where open water is generally absent

Hear the call of the belted kingfisher

Photo from ODFW