Animal Profiles
Birds

Kingfisher

Alcedinidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Kingfishers include many differently coloured birds. This account describes the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), a blue-and-orange hunter that plunges from a waterside perch for small fish.

Alcedo atthis (kingfisher)

Representative species: Alcedo atthis.

Tony Wood · CC BY

At a glance

Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Coast, Wetlands
Diet
Piscivore
Food
Mostly small fish.

Classification

Common name
Kingfisher
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Alcedinidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Alcedinidae
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It dives from a perch to catch fish.
  • Indigestible remains are regurgitated as pellets.
  • Individuals defend feeding areas.

Habitat and range

Common kingfishers occupy Europe, much of Asia, North Africa and islands extending through New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. Streams, ponds, lakes and estuaries provide hunting places. Some northern populations move south when waters freeze.

Appearance and adaptations

Blue upperparts contrast with orange underparts and pale throat markings. The long pointed bill grips fish; the female often has a warmer-coloured lower mandible.

Diet and behaviour

Birds watch from perches and dive after small fish, sometimes hovering first. Captured prey may be struck against a branch before swallowing. Individuals defend feeding stretches and are solitary for much of the year.

Sources

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