Kingfishers are one of England’s most beautiful birds, unmistakably with their bright colours, and usually found looking for fish to catch on rivers. They have metallic blue backs and copper brown breasts, with long black beaks (female have a red patch at the base of their beaks). Very small, but almost twice as heavy as a robin, the kingfisher obviously eats fish.
He dives into the water to find fish and other small creatures, preferring slow-moving water hence why they rivers. They often wait on low branches looking for fish, and it’s difficult to spot them, as they are so small. The bird dives in the water with open wings, the see-through eyelids protecting him, and then stuns the fish before eating it. He may also eat tadpoles, insects and shrimps.
Now a vulnerable species due to lack of habitat, sometimes you may find one near a pond. Their offspring up to 18 fish a day, so they are always at work!
Encounters in the Wild: Kingfisher is a beautifully written book on the utter delight that is our river-dwelling bird. Nature writer Jim Crumley gets up close with his passion and vision, offering insights into the extraordinary lives of these beautiful birds.
