Scientific name: Alcedo atthis
Specialist in catching small fish through quick dives from low perches.
What Common Kingfisher is like in its natural environment, with the climate, shelters and resources it needs.
The common kingfisher is a small fish hunter that adds a touch of intense color to European rivers and lakes.
Prefers natural riverbanks with vegetation, earthen slopes for digging and clear water that facilitates locating prey.
Perches on branches or stones near water and dives when detecting a fish, returning to the perch to swallow the prey.
Its metallic blue and intense orange plumage make it very striking. Needs constant energy, requiring many prey catches per day.
Pollution, loss of natural riverbanks and flow alterations threaten its presence in some river stretches.
Striking details about Common Kingfisher that show its biology and ecology in a different way.
Aspects to consider if Common Kingfisher is kept in captivity at specialized centers.
In captivity would require aviaries with long water stretches and real hunting possibility or very well-designed simulation.
Needs clean water and abundant prey availability or its equivalent in controlled feeding.
Direct handling must be very careful; such small birds lose physical condition rapidly under stress.
General information aimed at professional facilities and authorized centers. Not intended to promote private keeping of wildlife without proper training and permits.
Their keeping has been limited to highly specialized centers, given the difficulty of adequately simulating their environment and hunting behavior.
Diet in captivity is based on small fish and other animal-origin foods, controlling freshness and quality.
Enclosures must minimize the risk of collisions against glass and structures.
Ethically, priority is usually given to their conservation in restored rivers rather than their exhibition in captivity.
This information has an educational purpose and does not replace the advice of specialized professionals or consultation of current wildlife and animal welfare legislation.