When thinking of beautiful birds, people’s minds often wonder to tropical rainforests and faraway shores, forgetting the magnificent species which we have here in Britain. From green woodpeckers to golden eagles, we have a spectacular array of bird life in our skies. In today’s blog, we’ll be discovering more about the UK’s king of fishing – the European Kingfisher!
What are Kingfishers?
Kingfishers belong to the family ‘Alcedinidae’ which is divided into three separate subfamilies known as the ‘Halcyoninae’ (forest kingfishers), ‘Cerylinae’ (water kingfishers), and ‘Alcedininae’ (river kingfishers). There are over 90 different species of kingfisher currently recognised around the world and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They range in size from the tiny African dwarf kingfisher weighing between just 9-12 grams, to the Australian laughing kookaburra which can weigh up to 465 grams! The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is the only species of kingfisher which breeds in Britain. Slightly larger than a robin, these beautiful birds have a beautiful metallic blue back and an orangey-brown breast.
What do common Kingfishers eat?
As their name suggests, fish are the main source of food for kingfishers. They’ll claim a particular territory stretching around two miles down a river which will be defended against any other kingfisher that’s not their partner. They will sit patiently on riverside perches or hover over the water, waiting for a fish of the correct size and depth to appear. Once a target has been identified, they will plummet down towards the water, their eyes protected by transparent eyelids. If the fish is caught, it’ll then be taken back to the perch where the kingfisher often stuns it before proceeding to consume the fish.
Fish species which make up the majority of a common kingfisher’s diet are minnows and sticklebacks however they’ll also occasionally eat freshwater insects and tadpoles. A kingfisher must eat its own body weight in fish each day to survive!
Nesting, breeding, and fledging:
Common kingfishers can have up to three broods each year, nesting in burrows within riverbanks. The burrow has a tunnel which can be around 140cm in length which then leads to the nesting chamber where the chicks will develop. The first clutch of usually up to around 7 eggs is laid between March and April and they’ll be incubated by both the male and female. The chicks will hatch after around 3 weeks and then be cared for by the parents for around 4 weeks depending on the fish supply. After fledging, the chicks will continue to be fed for a further 4 days before they’re driven out of their parent’s territory so that the next brood can begin.
Kingfisher spotting:
Spotting common kingfishers often requires patience, planning, and often a bit of luck. Despite being relatively common and widespread, they are elusive, small, and quick therefore seeing them can be challenging. Many sightings are a brief flash of blue as one speeds down the river so any opportunity to get a good view of this magnificent bird should be cherished! Finding and waiting nearby a frequently used perch is the best way to watch a kingfisher hunt although it’s essential to remain quiet and a respectful distance away so that the bird isn’t disturbed. Hides are another effective way to see kingfishers as well as plenty of other wildlife clearly and closely. Many nature reserves offer these hides (either free of charge or for a fee) to use. At RSPB Fairburn Ings we have a dedicated kingfisher screen which offers viewing slits at different heights looking out on overhanging tree branches which are used by fishing kingfishers.
Just like when searching for most other wildlife species, listening to your surroundings can be just as useful as using your eyes. Kingfishers have a high pitched ‘peep peep’ call which they’ll usually do while flowing low over the water therefore if you hear this distinctive call then make sure to scan the stretch of river around you for an incoming kingfisher.
Don't forget to tag us on Facebook and Twitter if you manage to spot them!
Written by: Reece Smith
Photos: Lawrence Baxter