The 'King of Fishers' is usually glimpsed as a sudden flash of glistening blue. Even dedicated bird-spotters can fail to catch sight of a kingfisher until it takes flight.
They’re hard to spot flying, inspiring the words: 'only the righteous see the kingfisher'.
Kingfisher facts
Scientific name:Alcedo Atthis
Family:Alcedinidae
Diet: Fish, aquatic insects, tadpoles, and shrimp
Predators: Cats, foxes, mink
Size: Length 16-17cm, wingspan 24-26cm
Weight: 35-50g
Lifespan: On average, kingfishers live to seven years, but they can live up to 15
A stealthy predator
Kingfishers travel at lightning-fast speeds. They catch several fish per day, raise up to three broods every season, and fiercely defend their territory at all times.
There are over 80 species of kingfisher around the world, but only one is native to Britain – the common kingfisher. Our kingfisher lives in dense cover near slow-flowing fresh water like our canals and rivers.
Experts at fishing
Smaller than a starling, the kingfisher is a fearsome predator, readily tackling prey larger and heavier than itself.
It will perch patiently on the lookout for any tell-tale fish movements in the water below. When it spots a fish, the stealthy bird makes a split-second assessment of its depth and precise location to dive, bill-first, into the water. Eyes closed with transparent eyelids and beak half-open, the kingfisher seizes the slippery prey and carries it back to his perch.
Kingfishers and our canals
Our canals and rivers provide the perfect hunting ground for these striking birds. Providing vast nature corridors, our network allows kingfishers to roam up and down the country – and even make their homes in cities. You might even spot one in central London or Manchester.
Kingfishers are brightly coloured, with a cobalt-blue back, tail and head, bright orange underparts, and a white bib. Its legs are short and red or orange in colour. Males tend to be larger and have more vibrant feathers. Females have orange markings on the lower part of their long bill.
The design of a kingfisher's beak is aerodynamically efficient, allowing it to dive from its perch towards its prey. The beak is so clever that engineers in Japan have modelled bullet trains on them.
A kingfisher perches on a stick with its beak wide open to swallow a fish head first.
What do kingfishers eat?
As the name suggests, kingfishers are most famous for eating fish – usually minnows and sticklebacks. They'll also feast on aquatic insects, shrimp, and tadpoles.
How do kingfishers breed?
Kingfishers can have up to three broods a year – building a new nest each time. They begin pairing with mates in February, with the first eggs laid in March and April. Incubation lasts around three weeks before hatching.
Chicks can eat up to 18 fish per day – meaning their parents might have to catch up to 100 fish in a day. They leave the nest at about 25 days old.
Where do kingfishers live?
Kingfishers make their homes by slow-flowing fresh water, such as canals, lakes, and rivers in lowland areas. In the UK, southern regions are blessed with healthy populations. But they become scarce further north and are rarely sighted in Scotland.
They nest in burrows, which can measure up to 140cm in length and take many days to build.
Despite their bright plumage, it isn't easy to spot a kingfisher. After all, it's in their nature to move with maximum speed and minimum splash.
If you are extremely lucky and have a large pond, you may see the occasional kingfisher gliding through your garden. Otherwise, you'll need to find your nearest canal, river, or lake. Kingfishers prefer areas where they can easily see activity below the water – so head to shallow, slow-flowing water.
Look at the surrounding low-hanging branches near the water's edge, where you might spot a kingfisher posed to strike.
Kingfisher calls
One of the best ways to know a kingfisher is near is by listening for their calls. Kingfishers make a loud single or two-note whistle. Their high-pitched calls can travel some distance. Some refer to it as a 'PEEP' noise.
What's the best time of day to spot kingfishers?
Kingfishers are early risers. So, if you want a glimpse of these elusive birds, it's best to visit a canal in the morning.
What's the best time of year to spot kingfishers?
While they're present on our waters all year round, you're most likely to see one during the summer months.
