Key data

• Size: 16 - 17 cm

• Weight: 30 - 40 Kg

• Diet: small fish

• Season: All year

• Observation tip: Europe, Asia, North Africa

Photography tips:

• Lens: 600 mm or greater

• Difficulty level: Moderate

The kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small, conspicuous, and colorful bird that is native to Europe and Asia. It belongs to the kingfisher family (Alcedinidae). This colorful bird has a bright blue-turquoise plumage on its head, back, and wings that gleams in the sunlight. The underside is reddish-orange to rust-brown in color. The eyes are large and dark, the bill is long, pointed, and black in males. Females have a slightly orange coloration on the underside of the bill. Juveniles have dark-colored feet that turn orange as they mature.

The kingfisher is a small bird, measuring about 16-17 cm in length. It weighs between 30 and 40 grams. The wingspan is about 25 to 29 centimeters. Male and female kingfishers are generally similar in size.

Kingfishers are mainly found in flowing waters such as rivers, streams, ditches, and lakes. They mainly feed on fish, but also on water insects, crustaceans, and other small aquatic creatures such as tadpoles. The hunting technique of the kingfisher is impressive: it often sits on a branch over the water and plunges vertically into the water during flight to catch its prey.

The breeding season of the kingfisher begins in spring and lasts about 19 to 21 days. The female usually lays 6-7 white eggs in a nesting hole dug in steep walls or on riverbanks. Both adult birds take care of the brood and the feeding of the young birds. Although kingfishers are native to Central Europe, they have become rare due to water pollution and habitat loss. Due to their characteristic appearance and fascinating hunting style, they are popular observation objects for nature lovers.