Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

🐦 Discover the Kingfisher

The kingfisher is a brightly colored bird that skims low over clear water. Its blue back and orange chest make it instantly recognizable.

🔎 At a glance

• Habitat: clear streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes
• Diet: small fish and aquatic animals
• Activity: daytime
• Characteristic: blue-orange plumage

🌊 Where does it live?

The kingfisher needs clean, fish-rich water and natural banks. It scans the water from a low branch.

🐾 How it lives

It often sits still above the water and then dives down at lightning speed to catch a fish. The nest is dug out in a steep bank.

✨ Unique features of this animal

The blue color of its back is caused by the structure of its feathers, not by blue pigment.

💡 Did you know?

• A kingfisher can dive straight into the water.
• The nest tunnel is dug into a steep bank.
• Good water quality is important for its food source.

🌿 Threats & protection

Water pollution and the disappearance of natural banks can affect the species. Natural watersides help.

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