Common Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Alcedo atthis

Malay Name: Rajaudang Cicit

Chinese Name: 普通翠鸟

Range: Has a widespread breeding range stretching from north Africa, Eurasia, Indian subcontinent, China, Korea, Japan to mainland Southeast Asia with some northerly populations wintering south to Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: ispida, atthis, bengalensis, taprobana, floresiana, hispidoides, salomonensis.

Size: 16-18 cm

Identification: Male has pale rufous underparts with a white-tinged throat, rufous ear-coverts, turquoise blue upperparts and mostly black bill. Female resembles male but base or most of lower mandible orange-reddish. Juvenile has duller underparts with dusky wash across breast.

Similar looking species: Blue-eared Kingfisher

Habitat: Various inland and coastal wetlands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Diet consists mostly of fish but occasionally hunts for lizard, frog and insects.

Local Status: Common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Satay by the Bay, Kranji Marsh, Sungei Buloh, Chinese Garden, Lorong Halus, Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Ubin and any patch of suitable habitat.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2013 to Jun 2023
Peak week Jan 01-Jan 07
Early date 06 Jul 2022
Late date 24 May 2019
The most common migratory kingfisher in Singapore – listen for its high-pitched call as it whizzes over neighborhood canals and ponds.
Common Kingfisher at SBTB. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Male Common Kingfisher at Kranji Marsh. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Common Kingfisher at SBTB. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Female Common Kingfisher at Jurong ECO Garden. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Common Kingfisher at Satay by the Bay. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Common Kingfisher at Satay by the Bay. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Common Kingfisher at SBTB. Photo credit: Francis Yap

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Common Kingfisher)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Alcedo atthis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22683027A89575948.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Common Kingfisher. Retrieved on May 8, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/common-kingfisher.

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