Home › Aves › Alcedinidae › Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
SPECIES PROFILE
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
Alcedo
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Waterbodies rivers lakes canals
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Coraciiformes
FAMILY
Alcedinidae
GENUS
Alcedo
📋 Description
SIZE
16-18 cm long 20-30 g
COLORATION
Bright blue upperparts orange underparts white throat
ADAPTATIONS
Short tail large bill for diving fish
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Waterbodies rivers lakes canals
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
REPRODUCTION
Lays 5-7 eggs in burrow nests incubated 19-21 days
DIET DETAILS
Fish insects crustaceans
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Water pollution habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Blue Flashes: Common Kingfishers dive with 25-gram bodies catching 10 grams of fish daily in Chambal's rivers. Their blue backs dazzle in flight.
2
Perch Hunters: These kingfishers cover 3000 sq km in Kerala's waters nesting in riverbanks. Pollution threatens their prey.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Chambal River in Uttar Pradesh
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Sultanpur National Park in Haryana
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season enhances visibility near water for spotting kingfishers
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch common kingfishers perched on branches over water
