ExploreBirds

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

The Common Kingfisher is a bright and colorful bird that loves to catch fish. With its sparkling blue and orange feathers, it's a beautiful sight near rivers and lakes.

Habitat: Near rivers, lakes, and ponds

Appearance

The Common Kingfisher is a small, stocky bird with an iridescent cobalt blue back and bright orange-rust underparts. It has a striking white throat patch and a long, dagger-like black bill. Its vivid plumage makes it instantly recognizable along waterways.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCoraciiformesFamilyAlcedinidaeGenusAlcedo
Common Kingfisher
wildlife trait badgefeathered trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badge
Common Kingfisher

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Kingfishers swallow fish head-first to avoid painful fin-spikes!

Parents can raise up to three families of chicks in just one summer!

Some kingfishers eat up to 60% of their own body weight in fish daily!

Their dazzling blue feathers get their color from light, not blue pigment!

Special abilities

Ability

Underwater Vision

Common Kingfisher has special eyes that can switch focus instantly, helping them see clearly in both air and water.

Ability

Diving Dynamo

Common Kingfisher can dive head-first into water at high speed to catch fish, thanks to its streamlined body.

Ability

Precision Fisher

Common Kingfisher has a long, pointed bill that helps it pierce and securely hold slippery fish underwater.

Ability

Bankside Builder

Common Kingfisher can dig long tunnels into riverbanks for nesting, keeping their eggs safe from predators.

Measurements & details

Length
16-17 cm
Wingspan
24-26 cm
Weight
0.025-0.04 kg
Lifespan
7-8 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
6-7
Incubation
19-21 days
Migration Distance
1000 km

Diet & Feeding

A speedy hunter that dives for small fish and aquatic insects in clear freshwater.

Primary Foods

  • minnows
  • sticklebacks
  • gudgeon
  • roach
  • aquatic insects

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Minnow

Phoxinus phoxinus

It dives to catch these small fish from clear water.

hunts

Three-spined Stickleback

Gasterosteus aculeatus

A common tiny fish prey item.

eaten by

Grass Snake

Natrix natrix

May raid nests for eggs or chicks.

eaten by

Brown Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Can find and eat eggs or young in nest tunnels.

Traits

Also known as

Eurasian KingfisherRiver Kingfisher

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch kingfishers from a distance and do not disturb them. They are wild animals and should be treated gently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Common Kingfisher?

The easiest way to identify Common Kingfisher is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Common Kingfisher?

16-17 cm

What is Common Kingfisher's wingspan?

24-26 cm

How much does Common Kingfisher weigh?

0.025-0.04 kg

How long does Common Kingfisher live?

7-8 years

How fast can Common Kingfisher move?

45 km/h

What does Common Kingfisher eat?

A speedy hunter that dives for small fish and aquatic insects in clear freshwater.

Where is Common Kingfisher usually found?

Near rivers, lakes, and ponds

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

Zoologická zahrada města Brna place preview
Zoo20 sightings14 species

South Moravian Region, CZ

Zoologická zahrada města Brna

Family Friendly, Wildlife Conservation, Educational, Hilly Terrain, Polar Bears, Tigers, Przewalski's Horses, Tropical Exhibit, Accessible By Public Transport, Outdoor Activity

You might spot Common Chaffinch and Nine-Spotted Moth.

View guide

Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno place preview
Zoo15 sightings13 species

Spain, ES

Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno

Wildlife Conservation, Nature Park, Semi Freedom Animals, Family Friendly, Cable Car, Scenic Views, Endangered Species, Educational Experiences, Karstic Landscape, Road Trip

You might spot European Bison, Asian Elephant, and Tiger.

View guide

Zoo am Meer place preview
Zoo20 sightings13 species

Bremen, DE

Zoo am Meer

Coastal Zoo, Animal Encounters, Family Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Conservation, Polar Animals, Marine Life, Underwater Viewing, Dog Friendly, North Sea Aquarium.

You might spot Black-Headed Gull and Lesser Black-Backed Gull.

View guide

Zoo de la Palmyre place preview
Zoo14 sightings7 species

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR

Zoo de la Palmyre

Family Friendly, Wildlife Conservation, Wheelchair Accessible, Animal Shows, Interactive Experiences, Endangered Species, Pine Forest, Educational.

You might spot House Sparrow, Common Wall Lizard, and Common Moorhen.

View guide

İzmir Doğal Yaşam Parkı place preview
Zoo0 sightings0 species

Izmir, TR

İzmir Doğal Yaşam Parkı

Family Friendly, Wildlife, Nature, Conservation, Educational, Outdoor, Photography, Wheelchair Accessible

You might spot African Lion, Ostrich, and New World and African Parrots.

View guide

More Birds