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Kingfisher Alcedo atthis [Linnaeus, 1758]
Other Names
Trends & Distribution
Breeding & Survival
Biometrics
Books & Links
Order:
Coraciiformes
Family:
Alcedinidae
BTO Codes:
KF, KINGF
EURING No:
8310
Number in Britain:
5700 pairs (Summer)
Conservation Status:
UK:
AMBER
European:
3 Concern, most not in Europe; Depleted
Global:
Least Concern
Links to: Images
Videos
Sound
Status in UK:
(A) Migrant/Resident Breeder
Subspecies:
ispida recorded in Britain (of 7 subsp. in the world)
.
Length:
16 cm
Wingspan:
25 cm
Weight:
M/F: 40 g
Scientific name from:
L.: alcedo =kingfisher (from Gr. alkuon )
and after Atthis, a beautiful young woman of Lesbos, and favourite of Sappho
World Distribution:
Europe, c&s Asia
Habitat:
Rivers, marshes, lakes, seacoasts
Diet:
Mostly freshwater fish, also aquatic invertebrates, hunts from perch or by hovering prior to dive
TitBit:
The hungry brood of a Kingfisher can demand over 100 fish a day from their parents
Population and Distribution
Population Trend:
Regional Trends:
Distribution:
New Atlas )
British Population Size:
Summer:
4300 to 7100 pairs
in 2000
First Record:
8th Century
[Fossil evidence from
Devensian (last) glaciation, 10-120,000 yr ago]
Conservation Status:
AMBER
because
Species of European Concern,
Previous Assessments:
2002-2007
AMBER
1996-2001
AMBER
Races of Concern:
ispida AMBER (European Concern)
Habitat Occupancy (in the Breeding Season):
Most frequent in:
Along Rivers
And found in:
Ponds
Relative Frequency in Each Habitat:
European Population Size:
Summer:
67 to 135 thousand pairs
Birds in Europe
Listed on the Appendices/Schedules of:
WCA(I), WBD(I), Bern(III)
Breeding and Survival
Egg Size:
22 x 19 mm
Egg Weight:
4.3 g (of which 5 % is shell)
Number of Nest Records:
15
(more would be welcome!)
Clutch Size:
5 - 7 eggs
5.51 ± 1.43 (2 - 7) N = 41
Incubation:
20- 21 days
19.96 ± 0.86 (19.5 - 21.5) N = 41
by the:
Male + Female
Fledging:
23 - 26days
24.84 ± 1.95 (22 - 27.5) N = 210
as:
Altricial, naked
Source:
British Trust for Ornithology (2005) Nest Record Scheme data
First Clutches Laid:
25 Apr (1 Apr - 20 Jul)
Number of Broods:
1-2(3)
Trends in Breeding Productivity
Number Ringed:
535
Adult Survival:
0.280
(Sexes similar)
Juvenile Survival:
0.215 (in First-Year)
Age at First Breeding:
1
year
Typical Lifespan:
2
years
Maximum Recorded Age:
4yr 6m
(Belgium: 21yr 0m)
Biometrics
Ring Size:
SO
Wing Length
Adult:
78.8 ± 1.8
Range
76 - 82 mm, N =607
Juvenile:
78.8 ± 1.7
76 - 82 mm, N =2526
Male:
78.6 ± 1.8
76 - 81 mm, N =333
Female:
79.2 ± 1.7
76 - 82 mm, N =230
Weight
Adult:
39.08 ± 3.45
Range
34.50 - 45.50 g , N =554
Juvenile:
36.30 ± 2.67
32.60 - 41.00 g , N =2282
Male:
38.12 ± 3.00
33.90 - 44.00 g , N =307
Female:
40.43 ± 3.64 .
35.40 - 46.60 g , N =209
Source:
British Trust for Ornithology (2005) Ringing Scheme data
Other Names
Common Kingfisher
Gaelic:
Biorra-crùidein
Welsh:
Glas y Dorlan
Danish:
Isfugl
Dutch:
IJsvogel
Finnish:
Kuningaskalastaja
French:
Martin-pêcheur d´Europe
German:
Eisvogel
Hungarian:
Jégmadár
Icelandic:
Bláþyrill
Irish:
Cruidín
Italian:
Martin pescatore
Norwegian:
Isfugl
Polish:
Zimorodek zwyczajny
Portuguese:
Guarda-rios-comum
Spanish:
Martín pescador
Swedish:
Kungsfiskare
Local Names: Halcyon
For More Information...
Books and Monographs:
Eastman, R. 1969 The Kingfisher Collins, London
[598.761 EAS]
Boag, D. 1982 The Kingfisher Blandford Press, Poole, Dorset
[598.761 BOA]
See Also:
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