Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

*Top 50 Target Species

The Green-and-rufous Kingfisher is a richly colored, forest-dwelling species found in Ecuador’s Amazonian lowlands, where it frequents shaded streams, oxbow lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Globally listed as Least Concern, it remains uncommon and elusive in Ecuador, often overlooked due to its quiet habits and preference for dense riparian cover. This kingfisher hunts from low perches, plunging into water for fish and crustaceans, and nests in burrows excavated in riverbanks. Though widespread across the Neotropics, its presence in Ecuador is patchy, with reliable sightings in intact rainforest regions like Yasuní and Cuyabeno.