Kingdom : Animalia Class : Aves Family : Alcedines Scientific Name : Coraciiformes Size(H) : 10cm - 37.5cm (4in - 15in) Wingspan : 20cm 66cm (7.8in - 26in) Weight : 10g - 170g (0.4oz - 6oz) Top Speed : 40km/h (25mph) Life Span : 6 - 10 years Colour : Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Black, Blue, Brown Skin Type : Feathers Distinctive Features : Small body and long, sharp straight beaks
- Kingfishers are small – medium sized birds found close to water, throughout the world.
- There are around 100 species of this colorful bird.
- The three main types of Kingfishers are the river Kingfisher, the tree kingfisher and the water kingfisher.
- The kingfishers have large heads, long sharp pointed bills, stubby tails and short legs.
- They are famous for their brightly colored feathers ranging from black to red to green.
- The African Dwarf kingfisher are the smallest species of kingfisher measuring 4 inches long.
- The giant kingfisher is the largest species growing up to 18 inches long.
- The Australian Kingfisher or the laughing Kookaburra are the heaviest kingfisher species.
- The kingfishers make their nests in tree hollows or at the end of small tunnels dug underground.
- The female kingfishers lay up to 10 eggs which are incubated by both the parents.
- They mostly inhabit wetlands and woodlands all around the world.
- They feed on insects, frogs, crayfish and occasionally on reptiles, birds and small mammals.
- Their numerous predators include foxes, raccoons, cats, snakes, small mammals and large birds.
- Due to deforestation and habitat loss, the species inhabiting woodlands are considered to be threatened.