The common kingfisher, or Alcedo atthis, is an iconic sight on the riverbanks and wetlands of the UK. Azure blue with an orange and white sheen, they offer a fast moving streak of colour among reeds and waterways. But despite their distinct look, they can be tricky to spot.
These photographs show how the bird dives into the water with its wings open, and uses transparent eyelids to protect it from the water.
A kingfisher about to break the water in a river for its prey. Kingfishers obtain food by diving from a perch, or from a hovering position, only to plunge when they have seen their prey beneath the surface. They plunge anywhere from between one and three metres above water, although up to 11 metres has been recorded. - Credit: Mauribo via GettyThis image captures the streamlined nature of the bird, and how its feathers repel the water. Once they decide to dive they give a couple of wing flaps and then extend their wings back when entering the water. - Credit: Mauribo via GettyThey immediately grab the fish, and because of their buoyancy, they rise to the surface. As it dives the kingfisher uses its third eyelids - translucent membranes that protect its eyes but also allowing it to see. - Credit: Mauribo via GettyThe kingfisher's amazing beak helps it to hunt. Its shape - a bit like a diamond with curved edges - means that water flows along the length of the beak, rather than being pushed away. This means the bird makes the least amount of water disturbance it possibly can, making it more likely to be able to catch a fish. The shape inspired the design of the Japanese bullet train. - Credit: Mauribo via Getty
This incredible shot highlights the colour of the bird's feathers, which are actually brown. The vibrant blue colour appears because of structural colouration - the same phenomenon that give peacock feathers their shimmer. - Credit: Marc Bouyer/500 px via GettyTo get back out of the water, the kingfisher spreads its wings. - Credit: Manuel Romaris via GettyThe bird then brings the fish back to the surface and with a few beats of its wings gets above the water. It will take its prey back to its original spot where it might hit it against a branch to stun it and then eat it. - Credit: Ericaengland2020/500 px via Getty
Kingfishers are very territorial, and are ruthless towards any other bird that they decide is straying too close. However both male and female work together to care for eggs and chicks, and building nests. Their nests are actually burrows in riverbanks, with the tunnels barely wider than the bird itself, but can be up to 90cm long.
Daisy is a journalist and writer with 20 years of experience working on titles including the Telegraph, Time Out London, WhatsOnStage, Gardens Illustrated, the Guardian and Ambit Magazine. Her passions are wildlife, gardens and the arts and loves it best when those things intersect.
