Common kingfisher / Eisvogel (Alcedo atthis)

Endlich wieder ein Eisvogel gesehen. 2024-08-17 08:53:53 Greater Fehraltorf

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-10-08 in Fehraltorf. Most recent observation: 2026-05-26 in Switzerland.

Description

Classification: Genus Alcedo (Alcedo); Family Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
General: This is a favorite bird in Switzerland. On the one hand it's colorful and very active when seen in its hunting grounds at a waterway; on the other hand, it's seldom seen. Contrast the 400-500 breeding pairs with 400,000-550,000 of the everpresent great tits.
General: An apprentice for the nature center on Lake Pfaeffikon told us a bit about the kingfishers that hunt on a waterway that feeds into the lake. She said they spend the breeding season elsewhere in sandy areas and return to the lake in fall. I've read elsewhere that they watch for fish from convenient waterside branches. A classic motif for a picture is a branch sticking out of the water, and one photographer said he has actually placed a branch there, knowing the kingfisher would not be able to resist.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast
Etymology: Nabu: Ob der Name des Eisvogels (Alcedo atthis) tatsächlich mit Eis zu tun hat oder das eisblaue Rückengefieder Pate stand, ist strittig. Manche Deutungen leiten den Namen vom althochdeutschen „eisan“ für „schillern“ oder „glänzen“ ab. Der „Schillervogel“ wäre eine gute Beschreibung für das flirrende Farbenspiel, das der Eisvogel im Sitzen und erst recht im Flug bietet. Wieder andere Autoren interpretieren den „Eisvogel“ als „Eisenvogel“ und vermuten einen Bezug auf das stahlblaue Rücken- oder das rostfarbene Bauchgefieder des Eisvogels. [Link]
Seasonal Behavior: Status (in CH): regelmässiger, spärlicher Brutvogel, Durchzügler und Wintergast. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-01 - 08-09
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=16-17 cm, wingspan=24-26 cm, weight=34-46 g
Habitats: Wetland

Vocalisation

Song: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
Song attributes: Frequency:
XC839045 - Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis - song - Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Portugal ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC839045 - Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis - song - Viana do Castelo, Portugal.mp3 (song)


Calls: Wikipedia says 'The common kingfisher has no song. The flight call is a short, sharp whistle chee repeated two or three times. Anxious birds emit a harsh, shrit-it-it and nestlings call for food with a churring noise.' The NABU app only has calls, which seems to confirm this. Therefore I'm classifying all recordings as calls, even though some say Song at Xeno-Canto. [Link]
Most heard is the thin and penetrating contact call: A short "tzee", or disyllabic "tzee-tzu", with a ringing metallic quality. In excitement it is often alternated with ringing trills "tzeerrrrrrrrrr". [Link]
Common kingfisher call from Xeno-Canto, similar to one from NABU app. Fairly high pitched single chirps or occasional high-low pairs.

Common kingfisher call from Xeno-Canto, similar to one from NABU app. Fairly high pitched single chirps or occasional high-low pairs. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC511677 Common kingfisher call similar to one from NABU app.mp3 (call)


Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: 5-7 KHz,