502 Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher (Alcido atthis), also known as Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher, is about 16 cm long small bird with green-blue upper parts, azure blue back and rump, amber underside, long black beak, white throat, small orange legs, and short stubby tail. It is a resident species across Eurasia and North Africa.

They live on small fish and other aquatic insects which they catch from under water surface by flash diving from their perch.  They must eat about 60 per cent of their body weight each day to survive. So, these birds prefer shallow but clear water habitats where they can easily see their prey under water. This is why the Kingfisher density is an important indicator of the health of the freshwater bodies. Higher density indicates better quality water.