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The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) also known as the Eurasian kingfisher, and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.
Scientific Name : Alcedo Atthis
Family : Alcedinidae
Order : Coraciiformes
Class : Aves
Type : Kingfishers
Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)
Size : 16 cm
Compare Size : Sparrow +
Wingspan : 25 cm
Weight : 34 - 46 g
Migratory : Resident Migrant
Sex Alike : Yes
Nesting Season : March - June
Other Names :
English : Small Blue Kingfisher, Eurasian Kingfisher, River Kingfisher
Hindi : छोटा किलकिला
Marathi : छोटा खंड्या, धिंदळा
Habitat:
Steep banks, Near lakes, ponds, canals, streams and slow-moving rivers, Quiet waters with vegetation on the shores.
Breeding:
Eggs - 5 - 7, Pure white, glossy, roundish ovals.
Feeding:
Aquatic insects, Small fish, Tadpoles
| Male & Female | |
|---|---|
| Upperparts | bright-blue |
| Wing | blue with a tinge of green and bright-blue spots mainly on coverts |
| Head | finely bands of black and blue on top of head (on forehead, crown to almost nape) |
| Auriculars or Ear Patches or ear coverts | rufous |
| Neck | white patch located behind the ear patch |
| Throat | white |
| Chin | white |
| Underparts | rufous |
| Legs | bright red |
| Bill | blackish with some red at base |
| Female | |
|---|---|
| Lower mandible | orange-red with a black tip |
| Note : The female is identical in appearance to the male |
|
| Juvenile | |
|---|---|
| Upperparts | duller than adult and greener |
| Underparts | paler than adult |
| Note : similar to the adult |
|
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 27 Oct 2018 | Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 03 Nov 2018 | Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 14 Nov 2018 | Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 01 Feb 2019 | Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan |
