Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

18cm. Although brightly coloured, Kingfishers are well camouflaged when perched among leaves. Bill is black, but female has a reddish base to lower mandible. Juvenile has a pale spot at the tip of its bill.

VOICE

Distinctive whistle, ‘tee-eee’ and ‘tsee’.

HABITAT

Resident in Britain. Rivers, streams and lakes. Visits garden ponds to take small ornamental fish. In winter more coastal, especially if there is a freeze inland.

FOOD AND HABITS

Fish are the main food.

Hunts by diving into water from a perch, or by hovering and then diving. Excavates breeding tunnels in steep sandbanks.