Common Kingfisher Alcedo
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Kingfishers are small and unmistakable bright blue and orange birds found near slow moving or still water. They fly rapidly, low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water’s surface. The size of their territory depends on the amount of food available, and on the bird
population in the area. Territories tend to cover at least 1 km of river, but may extend over
3 to 5 km. Any nearby body of water that provides good fishing will be included in the territory.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Mainly fish, chiefly minnows and sticklebacks, but they also take aquatic insects, freshwater shrimps and tadpoles etc. to top up their diet.
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