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HABITAT
Kingfishers are found along the banks of clear, shallow waterways
in areas that are sheltered from wind and waves. The kingfisher must live near waters that
are unpolluted and that support a large number of fish. The birds prefer to live near
tree- lined banks, where there are plenty of overhangs from which to spot prey.
Many kingfishers in Europe remain in one location year-
round, but freezing weather occasionally forces them to move in search of open water.
Consequently, kingfishers are often found on the coasts in winter.
Above: After a successful hunting
trip, an adult bird returns with a fish to the bankside nest hole for the hungry chicks
inside.
Above: Poised on its fishing post, a
kingfisher waits patiently for a fish to swim within striking distance.
BIRDWATCH
Despite their bright coloring, kingfishers
are not easy birds to spot. Fortunately they have high-pitched, distinctive calls. In the
breeding season, kingfishers can be found burrowing near rivers with sheer, sandy cliffs.
They also inhabit the banks of lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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The common kingfisher spends much
of its time diving from the trees to catch fish underwater--yet, amazingly, it cannot
swim.
BREEDING
Kingfishers nest in burrows excavated in the firm soil of a
waterside bank. If the nest site has not been fully dug out, both mates will fly at the
bank, beak first, until a small hole has been chiseled out. Once this is done, the birds
will further enlarge the tunnel by shoveling out the soil with their feet. The male
attracts a female into the burrow, where he brings her food. He does this by crouching in
front of her, with drooping wings, and stretching forward to offer her the fish. This
courtship feeding provides the female with nourishment while she lays her eggs.
Both adults share the task of incubating the six to seven young,
which are born without feathers. At first, the chicks take turns to receive food, each
going to the back of the line once it has been fed; but as the chicks grow, competition
for food becomes fierce. The parents must hunt constantly in order to provide enough food
for their growing young. After nearly four weeks, the chicks leave the nest and must
quickly learn to defend themselves. The parents often produce a second brood before the
summer ends.
Above: Born featherless, the newly
hatched young huddle together for warmth in the nest chamber. Both adults incubate and
care for the young. |
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FOOD & HUNTING
The kingfisher's diet consists mainly of small fish such as
minnows and sticklebacks. The bird searches for its prey from a perch that is often as
high as 10 feet above the surface of the water. When it has located a fish, it dives
almost vertically into the water with its wings folded against its body.
After catching the prey, the bird rises to the surface of
the water and then flies off to a perch. There it hits the fish against a branch to subdue
it before swallowing it whole.
KEY FACTS
Length: 6-7 in. Beak, 1 in.
Wingspan: 10 in.
Weight: 1 oz.
Breeding season: May-September.
Number of broods: 1-2.
Eggs: White, 6-7 in clutch.
Incubation: 19-21 days.
Fledging period: 23-27 days.
Habit: Solitary, except during
breeding season.
Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic and
land-dwelling insects.
Lifespan: Average 2 years.
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