Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), one of Europe’s most dazzling and easily recognizable river birds:

**Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)**

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae (kingfishers)
Genus: Alcedo
Species: A. atthis

General Description

Size: 16–17 cm in length; wingspan 24–26 cm.
Weight: 34–46 g.
Plumage:
- Upperparts: Brilliant metallic blue to turquoise.
- Underparts: Rich orange-chestnut.
- Throat and neck: White patches.
- Bill: Long, straight, dagger-like; black in males, lower mandible partly orange in females.
Sexual dimorphism: Subtle — females have an orange-red base on the lower bill, while males’ bills are all dark.
Flight: Rapid, straight, and low over water, with fast wingbeats.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Solitary and territorial: Fiercely defends stretches of riverbank or pond against intruders.
Foraging technique:
- Hunts by perching silently above water, then plunging headfirst to catch fish.
- Uses sharp eyesight to detect prey, compensating for water refraction.
Resting & perching: Frequently uses overhanging branches, reeds, or posts as vantage points.
Call: High-pitched, sharp “tsreee” whistle, often heard before the bird is seen.

Diet

Primary food: Small fish (minnows, sticklebacks, gudgeon).
Other prey: Aquatic insects, crustaceans, tadpoles.
Feeding behavior: Beats captured prey against a perch before swallowing headfirst.

Reproduction & Life Cycle

Breeding season: April–August (varies by region).
Nest: Excavated tunnel in a sandy riverbank, 60–90 cm long, ending in a nesting chamber.
Clutch size: 5–7 glossy white eggs.
Incubation: 19–21 days, shared by both parents.
Fledging: Young leave nest at ~23–27 days, but may still be fed for another week.
Multiple broods: Often 2–3 broods per year if conditions are favorable.

Habitat

Clear, slow-flowing or still freshwater bodies with abundant small fish and steep earth banks.
Rivers, streams, lakes, canals, gravel pits, and estuaries.

Geographic Range

Found across Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia.
Resident in milder regions, but northern populations migrate south in winter when water bodies freeze.

Ecological Role

Predator: Regulates populations of small fish and aquatic insects.
Indicator species: Highly sensitive to water quality — declines in numbers often signal pollution or habitat degradation.
Prey: Eggs, chicks, and adults may fall victim to herons, snakes, cats, and birds of prey.

Special Adaptations

Vision:
- Excellent binocular vision for precise underwater targeting.
- Protective nictitating membrane acts as underwater goggles.
Streamlined body: Adapted for rapid dives into water.
Specialized bill: Long and pointed for spearing or grasping slippery fish.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern globally, though populations are fragmented.
Population trend: Declines in some areas due to water pollution, river modification, and harsh winters.
Threats:
- Loss of clean, fish-rich waterways.
- Nest destruction by flooding or riverbank erosion.
- Human disturbance and collisions with windows.
Conservation measures:
- Protecting rivers and wetlands.
- Improving water quality.
- Creating artificial nesting banks where natural ones are lacking.

Interesting Facts

Known as the “flying jewel” because of its iridescent plumage.
Can dive at speeds of 40 km/h into water.
Each bird requires up to 500 g of fish per day — often more than its own body weight.
One of the few bird species that can hover briefly before diving.
In mythology and folklore, kingfishers are often seen as symbols of peace, prosperity, and good fortune.