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.

« ‹ of 2 › »

Views: 1302