Kingfisher

The Kingfisher is one of the Eden rivers’ most beautiful creatures, but it’s lightning fast and not always easy to spot. Often the most you’ll see is a flash of blue and orange streaking past in the blink of an eye.

Although small in size, the kingfisher is an amazing hunter; it has to be, as it needs to catch at least its own body-weight in fish each day, and even more when feeding its young. It hunts by perching on branches overhanging shallow rivers or streams. When it spots its prey it dives like a lightning bolt into the water with its eyes closed and beak open.

The kingfisher builds its nest deep inside burrows in the sandy riverbank. These hideaways keep the young safe from predators.

The kingfisher population has been badly affected by damage to riverbanks as it makes it difficult for them to build their nests.

Did you know?

Like most birds, the kingfisher can’t produce a blue pigment to colour its feathers. This mean that when you look at its feathers in low light they appear a dull brown colour. So why are they such a brilliant blue when viewed in bright light?

The answer lies in a trick of the light called iridescence. The kingfisher’s feathers are criss-crossed so that they reflect the light in a certain way. This creates the illusion of them appearing blue. You can see a similar trick being performed by some other birds, flowers and fruit, or in the swirl of colours on a soap bubble.