Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Kingfishers can appear blue, green or even almost black. Under most conditions, the kingfisher’s back and the top of the head are electric blue and the underparts bright orange – a colour combination displayed by no other British bird. The shape is very distinctive, it has a plump rounded body, short tail, legs so short that usually only the feet are visible. Often their presence is announced by a shrill whistle most often given in flight.

Many Norfolk rivers support kingfishers. They favour areas with plentiful supplies of small fish and rivers with vertical sandy banks in which they can excavate a nest hole. In winter, especially in spells of hard weather, birds will move to estuaries and coastal creeks where water remains unfrozen. A good place to look for kingfishers is the Norfolk Broads where they can be seen throughout the year although populations may be limited due to lack of suitable breeding sites as the reed-fringed edges of broads lack high banks. Lakes, rivers and even garden ponds may be visited by Kingfishers on occasion. The kingfisher is most active at dawn and this is the most likely time to see them. Even within the city of Norwich kingfishers are regularly recorded on the rivers.

Throughout the year. Courtship starts early in the year around February and March. Some early young hatch in April and some pairs have up to 3 broods a year. During July young kingfishers become independent. Young disperse from the breeding area during September and this is when they can often be seen visiting garden ponds.

Protect known nesting sites so that kingfishers can continue to breed each year. Artificial banks can be created where there are water bodies used by kingfishers but lacking suitable nesting sites.