Bird Guide

Common Kingfisher vs Half-collared Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Small31 gRiverine

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).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Common Kingfisher
Recorded by Noé Ferrari · Flight call · Arrondissement d'Abbeville (near Abbeville), Somme, Hauts-de-France, France · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Julien Fougeroux · CC BY 4.0
Half-collared Kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata)

Half-collared Kingfisher

Alcedo semitorquata

Small47 gWetland

The half-collared kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher. It is around 18 cm (7.1 in) in length with a weight of 35–40 g (1.2–1.4 oz). It has blue upperparts, a white throat and pale orange underparts. The head has alternating light blue and dark blue bands running across the crown and each side of the neck has a creamy white stripe. The dark blue patches on either side of the neck form a half collar. The legs and feet are red. The sexes are very similar but the bill of the male is entirely black while the female has some red at the base of the lower mandible.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Henry de Lange · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Common Kingfisher and Half-collared Kingfisher.