The Ringed Kingfisher is typically found in the Rio Grande River valley, southeastern Texas, throughout Central America, and in South America. The preferred breeding habitat includes heavily wooded areas near large bodies of water, or wherever they may find a perch to catch their food. This species is typically a resident all year long, and is very sedentary. Nests are horizontal tunnels in river or sand banks. This bird perches on trees or poles to hunt for its food, and diets consist of fish, crustaceans, frogs, insects, small mammals, lizards and berries.