Hi
I have been off the forum for a bit as I've been away and also been busy with other things. I now have lots of catching up to do!
First though, a question to settle a family difference of opinion.
Can anyone please tell how deep a river needs to be for kingfishers to fish?
Thanks.
SB
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I don't know if there has been research on this but I have seen one fishing in no more than three inches. With that I would assume they will fish in any amount deep enough for fish to be in!
Hope that helps
John :-) oh and welcome back.
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Hi there, welcome back, ive seen them fishing in about 1 foot of water.
Hi John and Owain,
Thanks for your replies (and the welcome back).
The reason for my question was that we have a river running through the village where we live but have never seen a kingfisher there even though I know there are some within a few miles. I say that the river is too shallow for a kingfisher to fish in but my husband disagrees. It would seem that he is correct if you have seen them fish in just a few inches John. Our river is a bit deeper than that so I shall admit defeat and live in hope!
Thanks for your help.
Hi Sarum Bat
Welcome back :-)
From what I have picked up on recent TV programmes featuring kingfishers, I believe that the presence of a deep muddy bank where they can build their nests is one of the important features of an approximately one mile stretch of river that they select for territory. They also need perching places where they fish.
If I had a likely looking stretch of river with bank available, a couple of strategically placed perching branches that could easily be watched would possibly be a great addition.
Best wishes Chris
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Hi Chris,
Thank you, nice to be back. Trouble is, when you have been away catching up with all the posts takes ages!
I have been watching that lovely Halcyon River Diary programme and the muddy banks shown are much steeper than the ones here. On the other hand, the banks aren't that steep in the places I have seen kingfishers around here either. There are muddy banks on our local river though and perching places so I'll continue to keep a look out.
I have seen four kingfishers (or maybe one four times?) within a about a five to ten minute walk from the centre of town in recent weeks and a friend of mine saw one in the same area last week so they are about. I hope they breed successfully and send some out to our village :-)
Hello Sarum Bat,
Kingfishers are often found by still or slow flowing water such as lakes, canals and rivers in lowland areas. They typically dive from low perches of around 1-3 metres, but perches up to 11 metres have been recorded. As Kingfishers dive into the water they extend their wings back along their body before plunging in water, the maximum of depth of which has been around 1 metre. To return to the surface and exit the water, Kingfishers flap their wings. Kingfishers prefer prey close to the surface, as fish deeper in water often prove trickier to successfully catch. There are even records of Kingfishers diving through ice. Truly amazing birds.
Hello Mrs T,
Thanks for your reply. They certainly are truly amazing and very beautiful birds.