Bird 🐦
🐦
Alcedo atthis
| Size | 16 cm About the size of a house sparrow but stockier |
|---|---|
| Weight | 34–46 g About the weight of a small plum |
| Lifespan | 2 years |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| M vs F | Males have a fully black-orange bill; females have an orange-red lower mandible — the easiest way to tell them apart |
| Habitat | Slow-moving rivers, lakes, canals — always near clear, shallow water |
| Best time | Year-round; most visible autumn when juveniles spread out |
| Conservation | UK: Amber LC |
Did you know?
Kingfishers close their eyes just before hitting the water — their dive trajectory and depth are calculated entirely before impact
Kingfishers close their eyes just before hitting the water — their dive trajectory and depth are calculated entirely before impact
More for experts
They can see underwater due to a transparent nictitating membrane over the eye, and their brain automatically corrects for light refraction to pinpoint fish
Often confused with
Dipper (dark brown, white bib, smaller), no other bird has this colour combination in the UK
Dipper (dark brown, white bib, smaller), no other bird has this colour combination in the UK