Lucky wintering for kingfishers
Photo: Sven Zacek
Translation Liis
Kingfisher with prey
Kingfisher Jäälind Alcedo atthis
Only a part of the kingfishers take the risk of staying to winter in Estonia, at the upper reaches of fast-flowing spring-fed rivers. Avoiding the risks of travel was a lucky choice this year, during the mild winter birdwatchers have met quite many of the birds, colourful as parrots, in their doings. Migrants arrive back from central and western Europe only in March-April.
A spectacularly beautiful view in a late wintery grey river landscape: green hues can be seen in sunny weather in the turquoise blue back plumage. The body is sturdy, breast plumage rusty red. To that a fairly large, rounded head and a long, woodpecker-like dark beak with a reddish tip. Yellowish-white flecks under the chin and behind the ears, eyes brown. The little feet are coral red.
The day is spent catching small fish from a creek or river – a sight in itself.
Kingfisher observations: LINK
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