Praveen g nair

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Common Kingfisher pair sharing food, Alcedo atthis

Code: Birds Life
Skills: Kingfisher in India

Project Description

The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also known as the Eurasian kingfisher and river kingfisher, is a small, enchanting bird that graces the waterways of Eurasia and North Africa. Let’s explore its captivating features:

Appearance:
- This sparrow-sized kingfisher boasts a striking profile: a short tail, a large head, and a long bill.
- The male of the western European subspecies (A. a. ispida) flaunts green-blue upperparts with a pale azure-blue back and rump. A rufous patch near the bill base and a rufous ear-patch add to its charm. Its neck stripe is green-blue, and its throat and neck blaze are white. The underparts are rufous, and its legs and feet shine bright red.
- The female shares the same appearance as the male, except her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip.
- Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, greener upperparts and paler underparts. Their bill is black, and their legs initially match the darkness.
- These birds undergo a gradual molt of feathers between July and November, with the main flight feathers taking 90–100 days to regrow. Some may even suspend their molt during cold winter weather.
Habitat and Behavior:
- Common Kingfishers are often found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds—essentially any freshwater or brackish habitat with small fish.
- They perch quietly in trees over water, waiting for their moment to strike.
- Their flight is fast, direct, and usually low over the water, appearing as a turquoise flash.
- Listen for their high, shrill whistled call—it’s a giveaway even if the bird remains hidden.