A small bird watching the water

Watch the kingfisher before its dive

Alcedo atthis

A kingfisher waits on a perch above the water. When it spots a small fish, that quiet pause can turn into a sudden dive.

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Hear how kingfishers catch fish

Still or slow-moving water

This page introduces the common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, found in Europe and other parts of its wider range. It hunts around ponds, lakes and rivers where it can see prey beneath the surface.

A perch above, a fish below

A kingfisher perches near the water, looks down and then dives for a small fish. A suitable perch and clear water help the bird find and catch its prey.

Three things to notice

The common kingfisher has a bright blue back and orange underparts.
Light bends as it passes from water into air, so a kingfisher must allow for this when judging where a fish is.
A protective membrane covers the kingfisher’s eyes during a dive.

Food in the water, a nest in the bank

Catching small fish

Small fish make up most of a common kingfisher’s diet. The bird watches from above before diving into the water to catch one.

Nesting inside an earth bank

Kingfishers dig a tunnel into a steep bank near water. The chamber at the end provides a place for their eggs and chicks.

Find the kingfisher in Nature Reach

Open the free pond map and look for the kingfisher near the water. Listen together and follow its connection to the small fish it hunts.

Explore the pond

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Sources

Reviewed by Nature Reach on 17/10/2026.