Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Description

Alcedo atthis is a type of bird from the alcedinidae family, characterized by a short tail, fat body with a long beak. The color of this species is green – blue on the back and head, has a black beak with red legs. The lower body is reddish brown, and there are white patches on the neck and bottom of the beak.

Population Size

160.000 – 320.000 in Europe

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

15 cm

Ca

Carnivore

Di

Diurnal

Mi

Migratory

So

Solitary

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Aves

ORDER

:

Coraciiformes

FAMILY

:

Alcedinidae

GENUS

:

Alcedo

SPECIES

:

Alcedo atthis

Distribution

In temperate areas, Alcedo atthis inhabits areas around clear, slow-flowing rivers, and lakes with vegetated edges, such as shrubs that have branches jutting into the lake for hunting. In winter it is more often associated with coastal areas, often feeding in estuaries or harbors and along rocky coasts.

Geography

Continent : Europe and Asia

Country : Alcedo atthis is spread across Europe and Asia, namely Southeast Asia from Indonesia (Kalimantan, Java and Bali only as visitors during winter in the northern region), Papua New Guinea to Australia

Habits and Lifestyle

Alcedo atthis live in areas with a temperate climate throughout the year, but must migrate after breeding from the area in winter. Most winter birds breed in the southern part of the region, but smaller numbers cross the Mediterranean to Africa or across the Malaysian mountains to Southeast Asia. Kingfishers migrate mainly at night. This species is also seen perching on rocks or dangling branches and plunging into the water to catch fish. This species is also very territorial; since he has to eat about 60% of his body weight each day, it is important to have control over the appropriate stretch of river.

Lifestyle

Migratory and solitary

Biome

Rivers and lake

Climate Zone

Temperate areas

Diet and Nutrition

Alcedo atthis used to hunt from a height of 1–2 m above the water, on branches, posts or river banks, the beak pointed downward in search of prey. Its main food is fish, insects and shrimp.

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

The breeding season for Alcedo atthis begins in spring. Courtship begins with males chasing females over and over again, and then a ritual feeding, usually followed by copulation. The nests are in burrows dug by the two sires. The straight, sloping burrows are usually 60–90 cm long and terminate in an enlarged space, usually laying two to ten shiny white eggs. Both sires incubate during the day, but only the female incubates at night. The eggs hatch in 19-20 days, and young altricials are in the nest for 24-25 days, often more. Once large enough, the young birds will come to the burrow entrance to be fed.

Reproduction session : begins in spring

Incubation periods: 19 – 20 days

Independent age : –

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 2 – 10 eggs

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

Alcedo atthis dies from cold or lack of food, and a harsh winter can kill most birds. Other causes of death include cats, rats, collisions with vehicles and windows, and human disturbance to nesting birds, including riverbank work with heavy equipment, and chemical build-up or river pollution, as these species are at the top of the food chain.

Population number​

Population trends of this species appear to be stable so that the species is believed to be not near the threshold for population decline criteria from the IUCN Red List and is evaluated as “least concern”

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. MacKinnon, J. 1991 . Fields Guide to the Birds Of Java and Bali. Gadjah Mada University Press. Yogyakarta.
  2. Common Kingfisher on Wikipedia article