Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
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<birdfyi-bird slug="common-kingfisher"></birdfyi-bird>About
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 |
| Wingspan | 25.0 cm | 9.8 in |
| Weight | 36.0 g | 1.27 oz |
Identification
Plumage
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.
Bill
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.
Geographic Range
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.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: BU. Incubation: 19-21 days. Fledging: 23-27 days.
Clutch Size
3-10
Sound
Song
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'.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers) |
| Family | Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) |
| Genus | Alcedo |
| Species | Alcedo atthis |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Eisvogel |
| Spanish | Martín Pescador Común |
Distribution
Common Kingfisher has been recorded in 6 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Common Kingfisher eat?
Where does the Common Kingfisher live?
Is the Common Kingfisher endangered?
How does the Common Kingfisher nest?
What does the Common Kingfisher sound like?
How big is the Common Kingfisher?
What order and family does the Common Kingfisher belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Alcedinidae family