Common Kingfisher vs Marquesas Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis compared with Todiramphus godeffroyi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Kingfisher | Marquesas Kingfisher |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alcedo atthis | Todiramphus godeffroyi |
| Order | Coraciiformes | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae | Alcedinidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | 17.0 cm (6.7 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | 19.6 cm (7.7 in) |
| Weight | 36.0 g (1.27 oz) | 45.0 g (1.59 oz) |
| Diet | Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-10 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Common Kingfisher only
Marquesas Kingfisher only
Common Kingfisher
Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with suitable perching and nesting banks. Requires clean water with good fish populations.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Kingfisher
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 …
Marquesas Kingfisher
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Kingfisher
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Northern populations migrate south in winter.
Marquesas Kingfisher
Conservation Status
Common Kingfisher
Marquesas Kingfisher
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Kingfisher
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.
Long, straight, dagger-like dark bill — orange base on the lower mandible in females
Marquesas Kingfisher
About These Birds
Common Kingfisher
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.