Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

E569953

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small, brightly colored Eurasian and North African bird known for its vivid blue and orange plumage and its expert diving for fish along rivers and streams.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Common kingfisher 0

Statements (56)

Predicate Object
instanceOf bird species
kingfisher
activityPattern diurnal
averageWeight about 34–46 g
belongsToSubfamily Alcedininae NERFINISHED
billColor black
binomialAuthority Linnaeus, 1758 NERFINISHED
bodyLength about 16–17 cm
breedingSite earth banks near water
callType high-pitched whistle
class Aves NERFINISHED
clutchSize typically 5–7 eggs
commonName Eurasian kingfisher
common kingfisher
river kingfisher
conservationMeasures maintenance of clean waterways
protection of riverine habitats
diet aquatic invertebrates
insects
small fish
distribution extends to parts of North Africa
widespread across temperate Eurasia
eggColor glossy white
family Alcedinidae NERFINISHED
feedingBehavior dives from a perch to catch prey underwater
foragingStrategy sit-and-wait predator
genus Alcedo NERFINISHED
habitat lakes
ponds
rivers
slow-flowing or still freshwater bodies
streams
IUCNStatus Least Concern
IUCNStatusSystem IUCN Red List NERFINISHED
kingdom Animalia
migrationPattern partially migratory
resident in milder parts of range
monogamy seasonally monogamous
nativeRange Asia NERFINISHED
Europe NERFINISHED
North Africa NERFINISHED
nestType tunnel in riverbank
order Coraciiformes NERFINISHED
perchingPreference low branches or posts over water
phylum Chordata
plumageColor bright blue upperparts
orange underparts
white throat patch
primaryPreyCaptureMethod plunge-diving
scientificName Alcedo atthis
sexualDimorphism female has orange-red lower mandible base
taxonRank species
threats disturbance at nesting sites
habitat loss
water pollution
wingspan about 24–26 cm

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Kingfisher notableSpecies Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)