Common kingfisher
The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also known as the Eurasian kingfisher and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.
| Common kingfisher | |
|---|---|
| Male A. a. bengalensis from Maharashtra, India. | |
| Female A. a. ispida Kecskemét, Hungary | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily: | Alcedininae |
| Genus: | Alcedo |
| Species: | A. atthis |
| Binomial name | |
| Alcedo atthis | |
Breeding range Resident all year round Non-breeding range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Gracula atthis Linnaeus, 1758 | |
This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptations to enable it to see prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.
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