Common Kingfisher Bird Facts (Alcedo atthis)

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.

The Common Kingfisher can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Common Kingfisher can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Common Kingfisher can be found in Urban habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Common Kingfisher is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

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

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bahrain Gibraltar Malta Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Sudan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Guam Maldives Micronesia Palau Yemen

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Kingfisher displays remarkable agility, particularly in its precise diving and fishing abilities. Its capacity to hover briefly before plunging into water and swiftly manoeuvre to catch fish demonstrates exceptional aerial dexterity.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for its size, the Common Kingfisher possesses sufficient strength to catch and carry fish up to 7 cm in length, which can be a significant portion of its own body weight.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species shows good adaptability, inhabiting various freshwater environments from natural rivers to urban canals and parks. Its ability to thrive in different climates, from temperate to tropical zones, further demonstrates its adaptiveness.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Common Kingfishers exhibit considerable aggression in defending their territories, particularly during breeding season. They are known to fiercely guard their fishing spots and nesting sites against intruders.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While capable of consuming up to 60% of their body weight daily, indicating good foraging endurance, Common Kingfishers are not long-distance migrants. Their endurance is moderate, suited to their fishing lifestyle and limited migratory needs.

Common Kingfishers primarily feed on small fish, typically up to 7 cm in length, with a maximum of 12 cm. They also consume aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and amphibians.

These birds can consume up to 60% of their body weight daily, often swallowing prey whole after striking it against a branch to stun it. This means that sometimes they can eat over 20 fish a day!

Common Kingfishers are often seen perched motionless on branches overhanging water, scanning for prey. They dive headfirst into the water up to a meter deep to catch fish, returning to their perch to consume their catch. Prey is stunned by dashing it against a hard surface and then swallowed whole.

These birds are typically solitary, fiercely defending their territories, except during the breeding season.

The Common Kingfisher's call is a high-pitched, shrill 'tsee-tsee' or 'peep-peep', often given in flight. When perched, they may emit a softer, whistling 'seep'.

During courtship or aggressive encounters, a series of rapid, high-pitched notes may be heard, resembling a shrill trill.

Breeding season for Common Kingfishers typically begins in late March or early April. Males perform courtship flights and offer fish to females. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season.

Nests are built in vertical riverbanks, with both sexes excavating a tunnel up to 1 meter deep. The tunnel ends in a nesting chamber where 5-7 glossy white eggs are laid.

Incubation lasts 19-21 days, shared by both parents. Chicks fledge after 23-27 days but are fed by parents for another 3-4 days before becoming independent. Pairs often raise 2-3 broods per season.

The Common Kingfisher typically lives for 2 to 7 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Kingfishers face localised threats from water pollution, habitat loss, and severe winters. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining clean waterways and preserving natural riverbanks.

In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Look for a flash of blue near slow-moving rivers, streams, or ponds
Listen for a high-pitched 'peep' call, often given in flight
Observe favourite perches, as kingfishers often return to the same spots
If there is no suitable perch, the kingfisher will hover for several seconds before plunging into the water
The kingfisher’s back and tail are the palest parts during flight, which is straight and fast and usually seen low over the surface of the water
In the UK, check along canals and in urban parks with suitable water bodies

Main predators include birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and merlins, as well as mammals like minks and domestic cats. Pike and large fish may occasionally catch diving kingfishers.

Kingfishers have a monocular vision in the air but binocular vision underwater, allowing for precise hunting.
Their feathers contain tiny structures that make them appear more vibrant blue when wet.
A kingfisher's third eyelid is transparent, acting as 'goggles' when diving.
Kingfishers have toes that are joined together along part of their length, making a useful shovel with which to excavate nesting tunnels.

Regularly spot these from the Kingfisher hide at Attenborough Nature Reserve - look for a bright blue streak flying low over the water

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Do Kingfishers visit gardens?

Kingfishers rarely visit gardens. However, they may turn up at larger garden ponds where they can be unwelcome visitors for fish keepers.

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Bird Attributes Explained

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Understanding the Ratings:

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