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Common Kingfisher
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
Genus: Alcedo
Species: Alcedo atthis

The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a common, iconic piscivorous bird found in Europe and northern Africa.

Subspecies[]

Subspecies of the Common Kingfisher include:

  • Alcedo atthis atthis
  • Alcedo atthis floresiana
  • Alcedo atthis hispidoides
  • Alcedo atthis ispida
  • Alcedo atthis salomonensis
  • Alcedo atthis taprobana

Appearance[]

Kingfishers are dazzlingly colorful birds, so it’s surprising how difficult they are to spot. The head and wings are greenish-blue. The back is mostly pale blue. Under the throat is orange, extending to the underparts. The front of the throat and the back of the neck are white. Their legs are red with a dark blue stripe and males have a black bill where as the bill of females is black with a reddish/orange base. Common Kingfishers are between 16 and 17 cm (6.3-6.7 inches) in length, have a wingspan between 24 and 26 cm (9.5-10 inches) and weigh between 35 and 40 g (1.25-1.4 oz).

Habits[]

Kingfisher flight-3103

A Kingfisher taking off.

Common Kingfishers are seen sitting patiently on a branch overhanging a slow moving stream. They will sit still for ages, before flashing down and grabbing a fish underneath the water. Kingfishers have a protective membrane, which covers their eyes while they are underwater.

Feeding[]

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The Common Kingfisher feeds on insects, amphibians, molluscs and crustaceans, but its main diet is fish. Once caught, the fish is stunned by the Kingfisher, and then swallowed head first.

Nesting[]

Common Kingfisher pairs begin to form in February. The breeding season then lasts until late July. Kingfishers nests are tunnels excavated in sandy ground, usually over a water source. Each pair may raise one to three annual broods, each consisting of 5 - 7 round pinkish/white eggs, which are incubated for 19 - 21 days. Both parents incubate during the day, but at night, only the female incubates. The chicks fledge at around 25 days of age, and once they have left the nest the adults feed them for a further 4 days before they drive them out of their territory.

Predators[]

The main predators of the Common Kingfisher are domestic cats and rats.

Distribution and habitat[]

Common Kingfishers are found near lakes, ponds, canals, streams and slow moving rivers in most of Europe, north Africa, the Solomon Islands and southern Asia.

Similar Birds[]

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