Common Kingfisher
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Birds (Aves)
- Dietary Niche: Carnivore
- Max Speed: 45 km/h (28 mph) flight
- Adult Weight: 34 - 46 grams (1.2 - 1.6 oz)
- Typical Lifespan: 6 - 10 years
- Primary Habitat: Clear, slow-moving streams, rivers, lakes
- Native Region: Eurasia, North Africa
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | Alcedo |
| Species Binomial | Alcedo atthis |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Common Kingfisher is a small, brilliantly colored bird native to rivers and streams across Eurasia. Recognized by its dazzling blue back and orange underparts, the kingfisher is an expert fisher that dives into water to catch small fish with its dagger-like bill.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Common kingfishers have bright metallic blue-green backs, wings, and heads, and vibrant orange underparts. They have short tails, large heads, and long, heavy black bills. They have bright orange legs and feet. They are about the size of a sparrow, weighing 40 grams.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
They inhabit clear, slow-moving streams, rivers, canals, and lakes surrounded by overhanging trees. They are solitary and highly territorial, active during the day. They perch on low branches over water, bobbing their heads to gauge water depths before diving.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
They are piscivores (fish-eaters) that feed on small fish like minnows and sticklebacks, as well as aquatic insects and tadpoles. They dive vertically into the water from a perch, using their wings to swim back to the surface. They beat the fish on a branch to kill it before swallowing it head-first.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
They nest in underground burrows dug into vertical sandy riverbanks. The breeding pair uses their beaks to excavate a tunnel up to 90 cm long ending in a chamber. The female lays 5 to 7 white eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for 20 days and feed the chicks. They live 6 to 10 years.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Classified as Least Concern. They are common, but their populations are sensitive to water pollution, river canalization (which destroys mud banks for nesting), and severe winters freezing rivers. Conservation focuses on restoring natural river channels.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- The design of Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet train nose was inspired by the shape of the kingfisher's beak, reducing noise and air resistance when entering tunnels.
- They have specialized eyes with double foveae that allow them to see clearly both in the air and underwater.
- To keep their feathers waterproof, they rub oil from a gland near their tail over their bodies.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Common Kingfisher.
The Common Kingfisher is scientifically classified as Alcedo atthis. It belongs to the genus Alcedo within the family Alcedinidae, class Aves, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Common Kingfishers inhabit Clear, slow-moving streams, rivers, lakes. Their native geographic range primarily spans Eurasia, North Africa.
The Common Kingfisher is classified as a Carnivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Clear, slow-moving streams, rivers, lakes.
A Common Kingfisher can achieve top speeds of 45 km/h (28 mph) flight and weighs approximately 34 - 46 grams (1.2 - 1.6 oz). Its expected natural lifespan is 6 - 10 years.
The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is currently designated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) Species Profile."
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