A woodpecker? Central Iowa, USA (1 Viewer)

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OK, bird wizards. Help me out.

Thanks.

 

[rjackb]

I'd say Belted Kingfisher.

 

[Microtus]

Yes to Belted Kingfisher. Woodpeckers perch against trees trunks or branches; this bird is perched like a normal bird on a tree. The blue feathers, white underparts and collar, and long, dark, thick bill mark this as a Belted Kingfisher.

 

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That's it. This was taken near a pond, so you ID is consistent with the habitat. Thanks.

 

[rjackb]

The blue feathers, white underparts and collar, and long, dark, thick bill mark this as a Belted Kingfisher.

The very large head relative to the body is another marker as is the white spot in front of the eye.

 

[AlexC]

Nor does it perch like a woodpecker - can't grip on trunks vertically.

 

[jbm32206]

Belted Kingfisher...and although it's got the long bill, it really is quite different from woodpeckers...for all the reasons stated above. Nice picture though!

 

[steveo]

Some audio recordings of the very common downy woodpecker and a belted kingfisher...http://www.uwgb.edu/birds/wbba/species/audios/WOODPECKER__DOWNY.MP3 Downy Woodpecker
http://www.uwgb.edu/birds/wbba/species/audios/KINGFISHER__BELTED.MP3 Belted Kingfisher is the bird you have posted a photo of.