Common Kingfisher

Overview

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small, sparrow-sized bird native to Eurasia and North Africa. It is a resident in mild climates but migrates from regions where rivers freeze in winter.

Identification

• Blue upperparts and rufous underparts with a long, black bill that has a red base in males.
• Short-tailed, dumpy body with a large head and bright red legs and feet.
• Flight is fast, direct, and low over water, showing an electric-blue flash down the back.
• No song; flight call is a short, sharp whistle repeated two or three times.

Habitat

Widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and North Africa, mainly south of 60°N, inhabiting clear, slow-flowing streams, rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. In winter, it is more coastal, often feeding in estuaries, harbours, and along rocky seashores. It tolerates some urbanisation provided the water remains clean.

Diet

Feeds mainly on small fish, which it catches by diving from perches 1–2 m above the water. It also consumes aquatic insects like dragonfly larvae and water beetles, as well as crustaceans and amphibians in some seasons.

Did you know?

The bird possesses special visual adaptations that allow it to switch from monocular vision in air to binocular vision underwater, enabling it to judge the distance of moving prey despite the change in refraction.