About
A jewel of the waterways, the Common Kingfisher is a small but brilliantly colored bird that flashes electric blue and vivid orange as it darts along rivers and streams. Despite its name suggesting commonality, witnessing this bird in flight is always a breathtaking experience — a streak of iridescent sapphire against the green riverbank. It hunts by perching motionless above the water, then plunging headfirst to seize fish with remarkable precision.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan
24–26 cm
Length
16–17 cm
Weight
34–46 g
Ecology
Habitat
Rivers, streams, lakes with clear water, coastal mangroves
Diet
Small fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, tadpoles
Distribution
Eurasia and North Africa — from Ireland to Japan, south to Indonesia