Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
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<birdfyi-bird slug="common-kingfisher"></birdfyi-bird>The electric blue of the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is structural rather than pigmentary: it arises from the way light refracts within the feather, not from any blue dye. Upperparts blaze blue, underparts are orange, and the crown is blue-green with darker barring above a white throat patch and cheek spots. The long, dagger-shaped bill is dark, with an orange base to the lower mandible in females. Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes and ponds suit the species, provided the water is clean enough to hold fish and the banks firm enough to nest in. A sharp, penetrating call given in flight is often the first sign of the bird. Engineers studied the bill profile when shaping the nose of Japan's Shinkansen, to reduce the pressure wave produced as trains leave tunnels.
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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.
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