One of the most colorful birds in Great Britain, the common kingfisher is uncommonly beautiful with its brilliant plumage, though even with extraordinary colors, it can be surprisingly difficult to see in dappled shade. Birders should know what behavior to watch for in order to locate this riparian bird.

Common Name: Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Kingfisher, European Kingfisher, River Kingfisher, Small Blue Kingfisher, Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Alcedo atthis

Scientific Family: Alcedinidae

Appearance:

• Bill: Thick, straight, long, black on males and black above with reddish below on breeding females
• Size: 6-7 inches long with 9.5-10.5-inch wingspan, short tail, large head, thick neck, tiny feet
• Colors: Blue, white, orange, buff-orange, black, red, green-blue
• Markings: Genders are similar though females show reddish coloration on the lower mandible of the bill during the breeding season. The head, shoulders and wings are a teal green-blue that can vary in hue depending on the exact subspecies and light conditions, but always shows white speckling or fine barring on the crown and wings. The auriculars are orange, and a teal-blue malar patch contrasts with a white patch on the side of the throat. The back, rump and tail are paler blue and may look electric in bright sunlight. The chin and throat are white, and the underparts are plain buff-orange or darker orange. The eyes are dark and the legs and feet are red. Exact color shades and intensity vary geographically.
  
  Juveniles are similar to adults but more dull green overall and show black or grayish legs and feet.

Foods: Fish, crustaceans, amphibians, insects (See: Piscivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These kingfishers prefer slow, still water sources, typically freshwater that is clear enough to easily spot prey, though they are found in some coastal regions in winter. Lakes, canals, ponds, rivers and even smaller bodies of water may be suitable, such as in marshes and swamps, though they are absent from the harshest mountain regions. Areas that include abundant scrub and perches alongside sandy banks are ideal common kingfisher habitat.

This species' year-round range extends from Great Britain and western Europe south to northern Africa and the Middle East and east to China, southeastern Asia, Japan and southern Indonesia. In summer, the breeding range expands to cover much of eastern Europe and further north in Asia, including Korea, northeastern China and eastern Mongolia. In winter, non-breeding birds migrate to the Persian Gulf, coastal northern Africa and much more of Indonesia.

Vocalizations:

A loud whistle is a common courtship call, and more typical calls year-round include a piercing, high-pitched "cheee" note that is repeated to create a long, medium-paced trilling.

Behavior:

Common kingfishers perch 3-8 feet above the water surface and watch for prey before diving as deep as 3-4 feet below the surface to hunt. They may hover briefly before making their vertical dive, and after catching their prey, often beat it against their perch before swallowing it. Because much of their prey includes indigestible parts, these birds regularly cast pellets. In flight, they stay low over the water and have a direct flight path with very rapid wing beats. Generally solitary, these birds can be aggressive and territorial, particularly during the breeding season.

Reproduction:

To attract a mate, a male common kingfisher will first chase a female, then will progress to courtship feeding rituals before mating. Once bonded, both birds work together to excavate a burrow nest in a sandy bank, with a slightly inclined tunnel leading to the nesting chamber. The nest itself is initially unlined, but gradually accumulates a lining of fish bones and other debris.

There are 4-10 eggs laid per brood, and both parents share incubation duties for the glossy white eggs for 19-20 days. After hatching, both parents feed the young birds for 25-35 days until they are able to leave the nest and begin hunting on their own. One mated pair may raise 2-3 broods annually, though multiple broods are most common in the southern part of the breeding territory.

Attracting Common Kingfishers:

These birds are not typical backyard guests, though if there is a sufficiently large pond with clear water, abundant prey and suitable perches, they may occasionally visit. Preserving clear water and protecting banks that can serve as nesting sites are critical to encouraging these birds to stay in the appropriate habitat.

Conservation:

Though these kingfishers are not considered threatened or endangered, their populations can fluctuate greatly, particularly during severe winters or when flooding destroys nests. Fishing line and river pollution can be substantial threats as well, and many nesting sites are lost to river bank development.

Similar Birds:

• Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
• African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta)
• Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea)
• Blue-Eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting)
• Half-Collared Kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata)
• Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

Photo – Common Kingfisher – Male © Lip Kee Yap
Photo – Common Kingfisher – Female © Luc Viatour