Blyth's Kingfisher vs Common Kingfisher

Alcedo hercules comparé à Alcedo atthis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Blyth's Kingfisher Common Kingfisher
Nom scientifique Alcedo hercules Alcedo atthis
Ordre Coraciiformes Coraciiformes
Famille Alcedinidae Alcedinidae
Statut de conservation Near Threatened Least Concern
Longueur 17,0 cm (6.7 in)
Envergure 19,2 cm (7.6 in) 25,0 cm (9.8 in)
Poids 62,5 g (2.20 oz) 36,0 g (1.27 oz)
Régime alimentaire -- Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst …
Taille de la couvée 4-6 3-10
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Blyth's Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher 17,0 cm
Envergure
Blyth's Kingfisher 19,2 cm
Common Kingfisher 25,0 cm
Poids
Blyth's Kingfisher 62,5 g
Common Kingfisher 36,0 g

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Blyth's Kingfisher only

Common 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

Blyth's Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Chant

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 …

Geographic Range & Migration

Blyth's Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

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

Statut de conservation

Near Threatened

Blyth's Kingfisher

Least Concern

Common Kingfisher

How to Tell Them Apart

Blyth's Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

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.

Bec

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

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.

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