Common Kingfisher

The common kingfisher is a small, dazzling bird that lives beside clear rivers, streams, and lakes. It has a bright blue back that shines like a jewel, a warm orange tummy, and a long, sharp beak. Even though it is beautifully coloured, it is only about the size of a sparrow, so you might spot it as a flash of blue zipping low over the water.

Kingfishers are brilliant fishers, and that is exactly how they got their name. A kingfisher perches on a branch or post just above the water and watches very carefully. It bobs its head up and down to judge how far away a fish is, keeping completely still until the moment is right.

When it spots a fish, the kingfisher dives head-first straight into the water. As it goes under, a see-through third eyelid slides over each eye to protect it, almost like putting on tiny goggles. Then the bird pops back up, flies to its perch, and gives the fish a few taps before swallowing it head-first.

These birds are always hungry because catching fish uses up so much energy. A kingfisher may need to eat around six-tenths of its own body weight in food every day. To have enough fish to catch, each bird looks after its own stretch of river.

Because they need clean water full of fish, kingfishers are a good sign that a river is healthy. There are many kingfishers living across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Looking after clean rivers and natural, leafy riverbanks helps make sure these sparkling little birds always have a good home.