European Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher
Kingfishers
Distribution / Habitat:
The European Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is common resident breeder in Europe, Africa, and Asia. In most of its european range it is the only kingfisher. In winter - especially when inland waters are icebound, - it may move to tidal marshes and the shore.
It is frequently seen beside lakes, ponds, canals or dykes and streams, foraging for food.
Description:
Average Length: ~ 19 cm (7.5 inches) and wings 7.5 cm (2.95 inches).
Coloration: The upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue; their back is cobalt and one can see greenish reflections on the head and wings. The ear coverts (feathers covering the ears) and under parts are warm chestnut, the chin and sides of neck white.
The bill is blackish and reddish orange at the base. The legs are bright red with a dark blue stripe.
The immature bird have black bills.
Behavior: The flight of the Kingfisher is rapid;, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It is usually seen flying near the water, but during courtship the male chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill whistles.
This Kingfisher has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards, suddenly dropping with a splash and usually returning at once with a its prey.
Song / Call: From February onwards the male has a trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, this being his share of the nesting duties. This whistle is produced even when his bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female will reply and emerge from the nesting hole, and may fly to meet him, take the fish from him in the air, and return to the nest.
Diet:
Their main diet consists of fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans, including freshwater shrimps. Large fish are beaten on a bough or rail; small fish and insects are promptly swallowed. A fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle, but its position is changed, sometimes by tossing it into the air, before it is swallowed head downwards.
Breeding / Nesting:
The nest is a tunnel in a sandy bank, usually, though not always over water. Both birds excavate, except when an old hole of a Sand Martin or Water Vole is appropriated. Most incline upward for about three feet before the nesting chamber is reached.
There is no nest, but the six to seven or even more round white eggs are placed on a litter of fish bones and disgorged pellets. The eggs are pink. The first clutch is usually laid in April, but second broods are often in the nest at the end of July.
The young, once old enough, can be seen at the hole entrance begging to be fed. They are at first without down and clothed with numerous small blue feathers. Their bills are steel-blue and their feet lighter colored than adults. When they leave the nest they differ little from their parents, except that the colours are duller, the spot on the neck is buff, and the grey margins to the breast feathers give a mottled appearance. Their call is then an insistent, continuous trill.
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