There are around 120 species of kingfishers found all around the world, except for the polar regions. Most species of kingfisher are found in Australia, Asia, and Africa in wooded tropical areas near water. Six species are found in the New World (North America and South America).

Kingfishers are omnivores, but insects make up a large part of their diet. Some species also eat fish. Most species perch near the water when they are hunting for food.

Except for one species, kingfishers are diurnal (active in the day). The one nocturnal (active at night) species is the Hook-billed Kingfisher (Melidora macrorrhina) found in New Guinea and surrounding islands. However, it does forage for food during the day, when feeding chicks.)

Kingfishers are small to medium-sized birds. They have big, squarish heads; short necks; short legs; and long, thick bills. They have small four-toed feet that are syndactyl. That means the three front toes are joined together for at least part of their length.

The bills of kingfishers are usually black, orange, red, or yellow. Many species are brightly colored and have distinctive markings.

Many species of kingfisher mate for life, and male/female pairs live alone. All kingfisher species are very territorial. Both the male and the female incubate eggs and care for the young.

There are three species of kingfisher found in the United States: the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), the Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana), and the Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata). The Belted Kingfisher is found across most of the U.S. It is also found in Canada and Mexico. The Green Kingfisher and the Ringed Kingfisher are found from southern Texas south to Argentina.

The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) of Australia is the largest species of kingfisher. It is about 16 inches (40.6 m) in length and has a distinctive cackling, laughing call. It has a brownish face and wings and a white belly. Laughing Kookaburras live in woodland areas.

There are three other species of kookaburras. The Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) is found in Australia and New Guinea. It is a little smaller than the Laughing Kookaburra and is brown with blue-edged wings. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud) is found in the rainforests of New Guinea. It has a white bill, a reddish belly and tail, and bluish wings. The Spangled Kookaburra (Dacelo tyro) is found on the Aru Islands and in New Guinea. It has a white chest and belly, bright blue wings and tail, and a black head with white spots.