Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

The dazzling blue flash darting over rivers and ponds worldwide signals nature's expert fisher at work.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Common Kingfisher is a striking small bird with a vibrant blue upper body and wings that contrast with its bright orange underparts. It has a long, dagger-like black bill and short red legs. A white patch on the neck and behind the eyes stands out against the blue plumage.

Males and females are similar, but females can be distinguished by their lower mandible (lower half of the bill), which is orange-red. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, greener plumage and shorter bills.

Size

Length

16cm to 17cm

Wingspan

24cm to 26cm

Weight

34g to 46g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Blue Orange

Secondary Colour

White Green

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Red

Primary Colour (Female)

Blue Orange

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Green

Beak Colour (Female)

Black Orange

Leg Colour (Female)

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Kingfisher can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Kingfisher can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Kingfisher can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Common Kingfishers inhabit clear, slow-moving freshwater bodies, including rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. They require suitable perches overlooking water and earthen banks for nesting. Their range extends across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

They are widespread in the UK but absent from northern Scotland. Some birds migrate south in winter, especially from the northern parts of their range, while others are resident year-round, where waters remain ice-free.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Kingfisher. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons