But even when he was too full to hold any more he continued fishing. With a live bass in his beak, he would perch over the bluegill pond, drop the bass, and dive again. He was the culprit who was scrambling the fish. There are over 200 kinds of kingfishers distributed over the world but only two in the United States. All are remarkable for their plumage and unique habits.
Some kingfishers live in deserts and feed on mice, insects and small reptiles.
The family is most numerous in the Malay Archipelago and New Guinea where there are many vividly colored species. The common kingfisher of Europe has blue-green upper parts and a rich chestnut breast. It looks top-heavy because it has a long stout bill, a big head topped by a crest of tousled feathers, a bobtail, and short weak legs. The white breast is crossed by a blue band. In addition, the female has a reddish-brown band below the blue one, and brown flanks.