Page 255 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

KINGFISHERS, BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS,AND HOOPOE
Order Coraciiformes Family Alcedinidae Species Alcedo atthis
Kingfisher barred blue
cap

vivid blue
streak orange and white
cheek patch
black bill
MALE
electric blue
upperside white chin
(slightly duller
on juvenile) black bill
IN FLIGHT
with red
base
tiny red legs
(blackish on
juvenile)
rusty orange
underside
MALE

MALE
FEMALE
ost people seeing one for the first time think the Kingfisher is
Msurprisingly small: about Starling-sized or a little less. It is also,
despite its bright colours, much more unobtrusive than may be FLIGHT: low, direct, fast; poor manoeuvrability;
expected: in the dappled shade of flickering foliage above rippling quick, almost whirring wingbeats.
water, it can be extremely hard to see. Often it is the sharp call that
gives it away, followed by a glimpse of a bright blue back flying off
over water, but sometimes it allows really close, clear views. It is
particularly vulnerable to hard winter
weather and populations consequently
fluctuate greatly from year to year.
Occasionally a Kingfisher will take
advantage of a garden pond full of
goldfish, but visits are usually brief as
Kingfishers are shy birds and quick to OCCURRENCE
In most of Europe, N to
fly off if disturbed. S Scotland, Baltic, and extreme
VOICE Quite loud, sharp, high kit- S Scandinavia. Summer visitor only
cheeee or cheee; also high, fast trill in in north and east of range, from
spring. which birds move southwest in
NESTING Deep tubular tunnel, lined winter. Along rivers and canals, on
with fish bones, in soft earth cliff over marshes, flooded pits, and coastal
water; 5–7 eggs; 2 broods; May–July. areas including salt-marsh creeks,
FEEDING Catches fish, small aquatic DRAMATIC DIVER especially in winter.
invertebrates, and amphibians in dive The Kingfisher makes a dramatic dive usually from a low Seen in the UK
from perch or mid-air hover. perch, but sometimes also from a brief hover. J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 16–17cm (6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 24–26cm (9 1 ⁄2 –10in) Weight 35–40g (1 1 ⁄4 –1 7 ⁄16oz)
Social Pairs Lifespan 5–10 years Status Declining
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