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Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Least Concern

Длина

17,0 cm

Размах крыльев

25,0 cm

Масса

36,0 g

Семейство

Alcedinidae

Отряд

Coraciiformes

О нас

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
Размах крыльев	25,0 cm	9.8 in
Масса	36,0 g	1.27 oz

Идентификация

Оперение

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.

Клюв

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

Географический ареал

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.

Охранный статус

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Поведение и размножение

Гнездование

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

Размер кладки

3-10

Звук

Пение

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'.

Таксономия

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Отряд	Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers)
Семейство	Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
Genus	Alcedo
Виды	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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Присутствует Not recorded

countries highlighted

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

External Databases

Часто задаваемые вопросы

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.