Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis

Kingfishers are small unmistakable bright blue and orange birds of slow moving or still water. They fly rapidly, low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water's surface. The male has an all black bill.

Kingfishers are found by still or slow flowing water such as lakes, canals and rivers in lowland areas. In winter, some individuals move to estuaries and the coast.

All year round.

They feed on fish and aquatic insects. They are a vulnerable to hard winters and habitat degradation through pollution or unsympathetic management of watercourses.

They are widespread, especially in central and southern England, becoming less common further north but following some declines last century, they are currently increasing their range in Scotland.

Fairly frequent as a nesting bird in Leicestershire and Rutland.