Flash of Blue- Common Kingfisher










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Image of a common kingfisher courtesy of Stanislav Harvancik
Latin name: Alcedo atthis

A much loved member of Britain's birds, the common kingfisher can often be spotted darting just above the surface of many of our nation's waterways. Possessing a wonderfully bright blue and orange plumage, the kingfisher is a must-see when venturing around lakes, rivers and canals, even if a glimpse is all you will get of the speedy predator. Kingfishers are small birds, measuring only 16-17cm in length and 25cm in wingspan, whilst weighing in at approximately 34-46 grams.

Superb predators, kingfishers use speed, efficiency and their wonderful and calculative vision to pluck small fish from just beneath the water's surface. Fish below the length of 5 inches are usually fit for consumption with kingfishers tending to have a preference for sticklebacks, minnows, small roach and trout. Insects are also snapped up with dragonfly larvae and water beetles a common source of prey. Monocular vision allows a kingfisher to detect movement under the water's surface before alternating to binocular vision once the bird has entered the water, allowing for a very successful hunting technique.

In terms of habitat, kingfishers are to be found near slow-flowing bodies of water with sufficient low hanging foliage along the banks, providing the needs for a burrow to be constructed, particularly during the mating season, where the female has the ability to lay up to 10 eggs.

Despite being widespread throughout the British Isles, and the fact that they are resident all year round, the kingfisher has an amber conservation status with numbers declining over recent decades. There are approximately 3,800-6,400 pairs in the British Isles, whilst the species is protected by The Wild and Countryside Act 1981, providing them with basic protection.

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A map showcasing the common kingfishers distribution across the British Isles by Steve Oakes

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