River kingfisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River kingfisher |
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| A male common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily: | Alcedininae Rafinesque, 1815 |
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The river kingfishers are a group of birds known for their bright colors. They are also called pygmy kingfishers. These birds belong to the subfamily Alcedininae. They are one of the three main types of kingfishers found around the world.
River kingfishers live across Africa, Asia, and even Australia. One famous species, the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also lives in Europe and northern Asia. Many of these kingfishers are excellent divers and catch fish. Scientists believe this group of birds first appeared in Asia.
These birds are small and compact. They have bright feathers, short tails, and large heads. Their bills (beaks) are long and pointed. River kingfishers eat insects or fish. They lay white eggs inside burrows they dig themselves. Both parent birds help to hatch the eggs and feed their young.
Contents
What are River Kingfishers Like?
River kingfishers are known for their bright colors. They have short tails and large heads. Their bills are long and pointed. Many species have shiny blue feathers on their backs and heads. Their undersides can be orange or white.
Some kingfishers look the same whether they are male or female. For example, the Bismarck kingfisher looks similar. But in most species, males and females look a bit different. This is called sexual dimorphism. For instance, the male blue-banded kingfisher has a blue band on its chest. The female has orange feathers on her belly.
The color of a kingfisher's bill can tell you what it eats. Birds that mainly eat insects often have red bills. Those that eat fish usually have black bills. When a kingfisher sits, it often sits very straight. They fly very fast and in a straight line. Their call is usually a simple, high-pitched squeak. They often make this sound while flying.
Where Do River Kingfishers Live?
Most river kingfishers live in warm places. You can find them in Africa and southern Asia. Three species also live in Australia. Only the common kingfisher lives across Europe and cooler parts of Asia. There are no river kingfishers in North or South America.
Scientists think these birds first came from southern Asia. This area still has the most types of river kingfishers. Some species, like those in the Ceyx and Ispidina groups, live in wet rainforests or woodlands. They don't always need to be near water. However, kingfishers in the Alcedo group usually live close to fresh water. They can be found in open areas or forests.
Life Cycle and Behavior
How River Kingfishers Reproduce
River kingfishers are usually monogamous. This means one male and one female stay together. They also protect their territory. The pair digs a burrow (a tunnel) in an earth bank. Inside, they lay two or more white eggs. They don't build a nest; the eggs are laid on the bare ground.
Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm. They also both feed the baby birds, called chicks. The eggs are laid one day apart. This means the chicks hatch at different times. If there isn't enough food, the older, bigger chicks get fed first. When they hatch, the chicks are naked, blind, and can't do much for themselves. They stand on their heels, which is different from adult birds.
How River Kingfishers Find Food
Small kingfishers, like those in the Ceyx and Ispidina groups, mostly eat insects and spiders. They also catch tadpoles, frogs, and insect larvae from puddles. They can even catch insects while flying. Their red bills are flat, which helps them grab insects.
The Alcedo kingfishers usually eat fish. They have black bills. But they also eat water insects, spiders, and even small lizards. Most of the time, they catch fish by diving into the water from a branch. Sometimes, they might hover in the air for a short time before diving. A few species mainly eat insects and have red bills.
Taxonomy (How They Are Grouped)
Scientists study the DNA of river kingfishers. In 2007, they found that some groups of kingfishers needed to be changed. This was to make sure each group (genus) contained only closely related species. This is called being monophyletic.
Because of this, the species were reorganized into four main groups, called genera. Four species were put into a genus called Corythornis. Five other species, like the little kingfisher and azure kingfisher, were moved from the Alcedo group to the Ceyx group.
Most kingfishers in the new Ceyx group have only three toes instead of the usual four. The only exception is the Sulawesi dwarf kingfisher, which still has a tiny fourth toe.
There are 35 species of river kingfishers in total. They are divided into four genera: Ispidina, Corythornis, Alcedo, and Ceyx. For example, the African dwarf kingfisher is sometimes placed in its own group, Myioceyx, or with other small kingfishers in Ispidina. Studies show that the Madagascan pygmy kingfisher is most closely related to the malachite kingfisher.
