Share: “Common Kingfisher”
Order: Coraciformes, Family: Alcedininse; Total length: 17 cm; Distribution: Asia and Europe
The Common Kingfisher has an orange belly and a glossy cobalt-blue back. Often called a "flying jewel," it catches small fish by diving into the water and usually sings in a feeble voice. It has a call that sounds like "chii," which, during breeding season in the spring, becomes "chii-chii chi-chi-chi."
Play birds singing
Hunting birds aren't always successful in their hunting endeavors and the Common Kingfisher is no exception. Success is not a given because targeted prey will often do whatever is necessary to escape capture.
Generally, wild birds have large broods (the Common Kingfisher lays from four to seven eggs at a time) and need to raise their chicks over a relatively short period of time. While most small birds require about two weeks to raise their young, the Common Kingfisher spends between three and four weeks rearing its offspring. The success rate of the parent bird's hunting efforts will also have an impact on the development of chicks and be a factor in whether or not they survive.
The Common Kingfisher will make its nest in a hole in the side of a steep earthen cliff, a location that prevents natural enemies like snakes and weasels from climbing and harming its young. The development of such areas by humans, however, will deny Common Kingfishers of their necessary breeding ground.
Although considered a resident bird of Japan, Common Kingfishers are not seen in Hokkaido during the winter. It is believed that they move from Hokkaido to the southern regions of Japan in the fall. Since the water freezes in Hokkaido in the winter months, the bird must migrate southward in order to hunt and find food.
Similarly, other birds, such as the Japanese Bush Warbler, the Oriental Turtle Dove and the Little Grebe, are only seen in Hokkaido during the spring and summer, which is why they are considered summer birds.
The Common Kingfisher hunts not only freshwater fish and shrimp, but also aquatic insects.
Although they sport colorful plumage, Common Kingfishers sometimes escape notice due to their relatively small size, which is about the same as that of a sparrow. When viewed alongside a White Wagtail (left side in photo above), we can see that they are both approximately the same size.