The common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is a small but brilliantly colored bird found across much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is also called the Eurasian kingfisher or river kingfisher because it is so closely tied to clear water.
This bird is about sparrow-sized, with a large head, short tail, bright blue upperparts, orange underparts, and a long pointed bill. Males and females look similar, though females often show some orange on the lower bill.
Common kingfishers hunt from low branches, reeds, or other perches over water. When they spot a fish, aquatic insect, or tadpole, they dive headfirst and grab it in the bill, then return to a perch to swallow the meal.
They nest in tunnels dug into riverbanks, lake edges, or other soft vertical banks. Both parents help excavate the burrow, and the eggs are laid in a chamber at the end where the young are protected from many ground predators.
These birds are territorial and need reliable fishing spots. In cold parts of their range, they may move away from rivers and ponds that freeze, while in warmer regions they can remain near the same waterways year-round.