KINGFISHER
THERE are not many sightings of small birds which create the level of excitement in both keen birdwatchers and the general public than the colourful Common (Eurasian) Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).
The sight of this azure blue and orange bird will brighten even the dullest of days.
Whilst widespread and generally common, often all that is seen is a glimpse of electric blue as this sparrow-sized bird rapidly flies low over water with its whirring rounded wings.
You may be lucky to spot one sitting on its fishing perch, typically 1 to 2 metres above the water level with its bill pointing down ready to strike at small fish below. When seen perched, its beautiful colouration can be fully admired; blue/green wings, bright blue upperparts, rump and tail with bright orange underparts and a small white bib under the bill and white flashes on each side of the head.
Males and females are almost identical except that the lower part of the females’ beaks have an orange colouration with a black tip.
The eyesight of the Common Kingfisher is extremely keen, and well adapted to life in and out of water. It has monocular vision in air where it can use each eye independently. Whilst in water it uses both eyes together (binocular vision). They will sometimes hover for a short period above the water as they seek out potential prey prior to diving below the surface.
A Kingfisher’s underwater vision is not as sharp as it is above the waterline but its ability to follow and catch its swimming prey is more important than sharpness. Kingfishers are most successful where there is clear water along with trees and dense shrubs on the banks in which they can perch, and roost. Their presence is a very good indicator of freshwater quality.
Their preferred habitat is lowland slow-moving rivers, lakes, and canals and they will occasionally visit large garden ponds. They nest in burrows which the pair excavate in low vertical riverbanks which can be up to a metre long, ending in an enlarged nest chamber. Up to 10 small glossy white eggs are incubated by both the male and female, before hatching after 20 days with the young leaving the nest after a further 25 days.
Their survival can be very much governed by the weather. Summer floods, which now seem to become more prevalent, can result in flooding of the nest holes as well as making fishing difficult resulting in brood starvation. Research has found that 25% of fledged young survive to breed in following year and again only 25% of adults survive for more than one breeding season.
They need to eat around 60% of their body weight each day to survive and cold winters with long periods of ice can result in starvation of the adults. During, such periods some birds will migrate to estuaries and the coast to feed in ice free waters.
Winter is a good time to look out for these enigmatic birds as they are easier so see in the bare waterside bushes and trees. You may be fortunate to enjoy the sight of a Kingfisher during a winter walk at the Trust’s Attenborough, Idle Valley, Besthorpe, and Skylarks nature reserves where they are regularly spotted.
There are also regular sightings alongside the River Trent and the Nottingham and Grantham canals in or close to the city of Nottingham.