The Kingfisher (Cruidín) Alcedo atthis is a rare sight to behold. Usually it's just a flash of blue as it dives in and out of the water to catch its food, but with thanks to BirdWatch Ireland and Eco Fact we are going to get a closer look.
Found along the banks of rivers, canals and lakes throughout Ireland, the Kingfisher is one of our most colourful and popular birds. Smaller than most people expect, at just 16cm in length it is only a little bit bigger than a sparrow, but with a far longer bill and bulkier shape.
Once seen the Kingfisher is unmistakable, with its bright orange chest, belly and cheek patches, white throat and ear patches and metallic greenish-blue crown and wings. The back and tail are a lighter, even more dazzling "electric" blue, which immediately catches the eye when a Kingfisher flies past. The only visible difference between the sexes is that the male has an all-black bill, while the female's is black above and reddish below.
Despite its bright plumage, perched Kingfishers can be remarkably hard to spot, as when not moving the colours actually camouflage it surprisingly well against the riverside plants. Also, when the bird is hidden in shade, the light doesn’t reflect so strongly off its feathers, so it doesn’t look nearly as bright. The most obvious sign of its presence is its shrill "chree" or "chee-key" call.
Kingfishers nest in tunnels, which they dig into riverbanks, and remain in Ireland year-round. Their main food is of course small fish, which they catch by watching from a prominent perch over the water, then plunge-diving in to grab one when it swims past. Once caught, the fish is whacked against a branch to kill it, then swallowed whole, always head first: this prevents the scales becoming stuck in the bird's throat.
Many thanks to Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland for the information.
The amazing footage is courtesy of Eco Fact.
