Common Kingfisher

## Description

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis ), also known as the Eurasian kingfisher and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.

This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptations to enable it to see prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.

## Appearance

The Common kingfisher is amongst the most colorful birds and has beautiful brilliant plumage, though, despite its extraordinary colors, sometimes it is difficult to see when it is in dappled shade, and its colors are also not very obvious in flight. Furthermore, its shy nature means that it is not often seen. Its upper parts are bright blue and its underparts a rich chestnut-red. The Male and the female are generally similar but the females have a bill with a red base, whereas the male has one that is completely black. Juveniles are similar in appearance but have duller greener plumage.

## Distribution

The Common kingfisher occurs throughout Europe and in Asia as far to the east as Japan, and south of the Sahara in Africa. Common kingfishers live year-round in the south, while northern populations fly south in winter away from the freezing water. In temperate regions, these birds inhabit clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. They frequent scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which they hunt. In winter Common kingfishers are more coastal, often feeding in estuaries or harbors and along rocky seashores. Tropical populations are found near slow-flowing rivers, in mangrove creeks, and swamps

## Behavior

As with all kingfishers, the Common kingfisher is very territorial, mainly because each day it has to eat about 60% of its body weight. They even defend their territory against their mates and offspring. Individuals are solitary for most of the year, roosting in heavy cover beside their favorite hunting spot. When another kingfisher comes into its territory, the birds will both sit on a perch at some distance from one another and perform territorial displays, usually the display of beaks and plumage. Fights occasionally occur, one bird grabbing the other one’s beak and trying to hold their opponent under the water. Their flight is very fast, causing their wings to seem like a blue haze. These birds communicate vocally and are well known for a long, trilling call like a repetition of the sound “chee”. During mating, the male whistles loudly to a female and will chase her through and above the trees. When diving for prey, their eyes are covered by a membrane and they rely on touch alone to know when they should snap their jaws shut.

## Diet

The Common kingfisher is carnivore (piscivore) and mainly eats fish and small crustaceans, such as prawns and crabs. It also catches insects in flight.

## Reproduction

Common kingfishers are serially monogamous and seek a new mate every year. They nest on their own. The female is given food by the male before copulation, usually a fish. 2-3 clutches of eggs are laid yearly, in April, and another by July, with sometimes, a third in early October. Nests are on sandy banks along streams. Sometimes they use a hole in a wall or a rotten tree stump, or a termite mound, where they dig a tunnel and at the end create a nest chamber. Both male and female work to excavate a 50 to 90 cm long burrow, taking turns. 6 to 7 white eggs are laid and incubation lasts around 19 to 21 days, done by both parents. Usually, the female does the brooding at night and both male and female do it during the day. Young are given food by both their parents and they fledge at about 23-24 days, sometimes more. Four days later they make their first dive. Very soon they become independent and leave the territory where they were born.

## Population

### Population threats

The Common kingfisher in most parts of its range is indeed common, but it is under threat from river pollution, disturbances, and human developments. It is also vulnerable to bouts of severe winter weather, as it is unable to feed when bodies of water freeze over.

### Population number

According to IUCN’s Red List, the global population of the Common kingfisher is around 700,000-1,399,999 mature individuals. Estimates for national populations include: in China, about 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs and 50-10,000 individuals on migration; in Taiwan, 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs; in Korea, 100-10,000 breeding pairs, with 50-1,000 individuals on migration; in Japan, 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs with 50-1,000 individuals on migration, and in Russia, 100-100,000 breeding pairs with 50-10,000 individuals on migration. The European population is estimated at 97,500-167,000 pairs, which equates to 195,000-334,000 mature individuals. Overall, currently, Common kingfishers are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

### Ecological niche

Common kingfishers serve as a good indicator of the health of an ecosystem. As they feed on small aquatic animals, toxins in the water affect them severely. A strong kingfisher population therefore usually means a healthy habitat. Common kingfishers are also important predators throughout their range of small fish from freshwater habitats, thus controlling their populations.

## Fun Facts for Kids

A Common kingfisher has advanced eyesight, polarizing light being one of its abilities, reducing light’s reflection off the water.

The blue and green colors that Common kingfishers are famous for are due to iridescence, not pigment, so in a different light and from different angles they will appear to have a different color.

Kingfishers in Greek mythology were seen as the Halcyon bird, having the power to control the waves and wind.

There are 87 species of kingfisher, but the Common kingfisher is the only one that breeds in Europe.

When diving for a meal, the Common kingfisher often completely submerges in the water, with its wings folded back to form a V shape. It is even able to dive straight through thin ice after a fish.