The Kingfisher
A flying gem and fast fisher
With its ice-blue back plumage, the bird, which is about the size of a sparrow, is unmistakable. Because of its beauty and splendor of color, it is often called a "flying gem." The color of its
plumage changes with the light.
The kingfisher prefers calm, slow-flowing waters so that it can easily spot its prey. To do this, it sits on branches above the water. If it sees a small fish, it dives into the water up to 60 cm
deep, grabs the fish and devours it. It also eats tadpoles, small frogs and insects.
The kingfisher breeds from the end of March in mostly self-dug nesting burrows on steep, loamy-sandy banks of water.
You rarely see the kingfisher because its natural habitat is disappearing more and more. Many streams and rivers have been reinforced. This prevents river banks from collapsing and prevents
kingfishers from building nesting holes. They can be found in quiet, very natural areas and avoid the immediate proximity of humans.