Pigeon-sized: 27-36 cm long

Has a ridiculously short legs (think Black Skimmer) and a disproportionately large head and a large, thick, daggar-like bill. Often seen sitting on telephone wires, the silohuette of a stalky body with a bushy crest is a give-a-way.

Upon closer inspection, he has a white spot near his lores and white chin, throat and neck, all contrasting with the slate-blue body.

His slate-blue upper-wing coverts are flecked with small white spots.

The short, slate-blue tail has numerous dark and light bands.

The male has a blue grey breast band, while the female outshows her mate with an additonal chestnut belly band.

The call is a loud penetrating rattle.

Relatives: The Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata) of south Texas is similar in coloring, but has an entirely reddish belly-band. The Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) is smaller, green, and a resident of south-central and southern Texas, up the Rio Grande.