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Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Least Concern

Comprimento

17,0 cm

Envergadura

25,0 cm

Peso

36,0 g

Família

Alcedinidae

Ordem

Coraciiformes

Sobre

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
Envergadura	25,0 cm	9.8 in
Peso	36,0 g	1.27 oz

Identificação

Plumagem

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.

Bico

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.

🌿 Wetland 🌾 Grassland 🏖️ Coastal

Distribuição geográfica

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.

Estado de conservação

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Comportamento e reprodução

Nidificação

Nest type: BU. Incubation: 19-21 days. Fledging: 23-27 days.

Tamanho da postura

3-10

Som

Canto

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'.

Taxonomia

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordem	Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers)
Família	Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
Genus	Alcedo
Espécies	Alcedo atthis

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
German	Eisvogel
Spanish	Martín Pescador Común

Distribution

Common Kingfisher has been recorded in 6 countries.

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Presente Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden

External Databases

Perguntas frequentes

What does the Common Kingfisher eat?

Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst to catch prey with precision.

Where does the Common Kingfisher live?

Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with suitable perching and nesting banks. Requires clean water with good fish populations.

Is the Common Kingfisher endangered?

The Common Kingfisher has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Common Kingfisher nest?

Nest type: BU. Incubation: 19-21 days. Fledging: 23-27 days.

What does the Common Kingfisher sound like?

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'.

How big is the Common Kingfisher?

The Common Kingfisher has a body length of 17.0 cm, wingspan of 25.0 cm, weight of 36.0 g.

What order and family does the Common Kingfisher belong to?

The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) belongs to the order Coraciiformes and the family Alcedinidae.