Kingfisher
| Irish Name: | Cruidín |
| Scientific name: | Alcedo atthis |
| Bird Family: | Kingfisher |
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Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
Resident on Irish streams, rivers and canals.
Identification
Very distinctive when seen well with its brightly coloured plumage. The underparts are a bright orange-red, while the wings and back of the head are dark blue. The back, rump and tail are a bright, almost "electric" blue and usually draw attention to a flying bird. Despite these bright colours, can be easily overlooked perched motionless on a branch beside a stream or river on the look-out for fish. During the breeding season, females have a small red patch at the base of the bill, which is not shown by adult males.
Voice
A shill whistled “chee-kee”, frequently repeated. It is usually one first signs that a Kingfisher is present along a stream or river.
Diet
Various species of small fish (Stickleback, Minnow, and Chub) and larger aquatic insects caught by plunge-diving from a perch or while hovering.
Breeding
Kingfishers breed in tunnels dug in vertical banks along streams and rivers.
Wintering
A very sedentary species, Kingfishers rarely move from their territories. However, some may move to lakes and coasts during extended spells of poor weather.
Monitored by
Waterways Bird Survey.
Widespread in Ireland, mainly sedentary but young disperse after fledging.
Resident throughout the year.
