Common Kingfisher vs Mute Swan
Alcedo atthis comparé à Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Common Kingfisher | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Alcedo atthis | Cygnus olor |
| Ordre | Coraciiformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Alcedinidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 17,0 cm (6.7 in) | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Envergure | 25,0 cm (9.8 in) | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Poids | 36,0 g (1.27 oz) | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Taille de la couvée | 3-10 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Kingfisher
Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with suitable perching and nesting banks. Requires clean water with good fish populations.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
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 …
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Kingfisher
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Northern populations migrate south in winter.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Statut de conservation
Common Kingfisher
Mute Swan
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
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
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.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.