The Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small, colorful bird found across Eurasia and North Africa. Despite its vibrant plumage, it can be hard to spot due to its shy nature and preference for dappled shade.
The bird has a short-tailed, dumpy body with a large head and long bill. Adult males of the western European subspecies have green-blue upperparts, a pale azure-blue back, rufous patches near the bill, and bright red legs. Females are similar but have an orange-red lower mandible. Juveniles feature duller, greener upperparts and black legs. They molt from July to November, with main flight feathers taking 90-100 days to regrow, occasionally pausing during cold weather.
