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Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Least Concern
الطول
17,0 cm
طول الجناح
25,0 cm
الوزن
36,0 g
الفصيلة
Alcedinidae
الرتبة
Coraciiformes

حول

The common kingfisher is a dazzling jewel of waterways, its iridescent blue plumage caused by light refraction in the feather structure rather than pigment. These birds inspired the design of the Shinkansen bullet train in Japan — the shape of their bill was copied to reduce sonic booms when trains exit tunnels.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 17,0 cm 6.7 in
طول الجناح 25,0 cm 9.8 in
الوزن 36,0 g 1.27 oz

التعرف

الريش

Brilliant electric blue upperparts and orange underparts. Blue-green crown with darker barring. White throat patch and cheek spots. A flash of blue in flight.

المنقار

Long, straight, dagger-like dark bill — orange base on the lower mandible in females

Habitat & Range

Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with suitable perching and nesting banks. Requires clean water with good fish populations.

النطاق الجغرافي

Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Northern populations migrate south in winter.

Diet & Feeding

Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst to catch prey with precision.

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

السلوك والتكاثر

التعشيش

Nest type: BU. Incubation: 19-21 days. Fledging: 23-27 days.

عدد البيض في الوضع

3-10

الصوت

الغناء

A sharp, penetrating 'chee' whistle given in flight, often the first indication of its presence. Short, shrill single note as it darts low over rivers. Contact call is a rippling 'chii-kee'.

التصنيف

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
الرتبة Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers)
الفصيلة Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
Genus Alcedo
الأنواع Alcedo atthis

Names in Other Languages

Language Name
German Eisvogel
Spanish Martín Pescador Común

Distribution

Common Kingfisher has been recorded in 6 countries.

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موجود Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

الأسئلة الشائعة

What does the Common Kingfisher eat?
Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst to catch prey with precision.
Where does the Common Kingfisher live?
Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with suitable perching and nesting banks. Requires clean water with good fish populations.
Is the Common Kingfisher endangered?
The Common Kingfisher has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Common Kingfisher nest?
Nest type: BU. Incubation: 19-21 days. Fledging: 23-27 days.
What does the Common Kingfisher sound like?
A sharp, penetrating 'chee' whistle given in flight, often the first indication of its presence. Short, shrill single note as it darts low over rivers. Contact call is a rippling 'chii-kee'.
How big is the Common Kingfisher?
The Common Kingfisher has a body length of 17.0 cm, wingspan of 25.0 cm, weight of 36.0 g.
What order and family does the Common Kingfisher belong to?
The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) belongs to the order Coraciiformes and the family Alcedinidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Alcedinidae family

مقارنة

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