About the Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher, also known as the Eurasian kingfisher and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This species has the typical short-tailed, dumpy-bodied, large-headed, and long-billed kingfisher shape. The adult male of the western European subspecies, A. a. ispida has green-blue upperparts with pale azure-blue back and rump, a rufous patch by the bill base, and a rufous ear-patch. It has a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with some red at the base. The legs and feet are bright red. It is about 16 cm (6+1⁄2 in) long with a wingspan of 25 cm (10 in), and weighs 34–46 g (1+3⁄16–1+5⁄8 oz).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Common Kingfisher sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Blue-eared KingfisherAlcedo menintingThis 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long kingfisher is almost identical to the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) but is distinguished by the blue ear coverts, darker and more intense cobalt-blue upperparts with richer rufous under parts.
Half-collared KingfisherAlcedo semitorquataThe half-collared kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher.
Cerulean KingfisherAlcedo coerulescensThe cerulean kingfisher is a small kingfisher with a length of 13 cm (5.1 in).
Learn the Common Kingfisher for real
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