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Wintering couple of common kingfishers looking for catch. Fortunately, they were successful

 

 

 In the ice-free sections of fast-flowing rivers with many springs, one may experience a bright surprise by encountering the common kingfisher; in similar rapid sections, we may also see the white-throated dipper in action.

 

The common kingfisher is represented in small numbers and there may be less than one hundred individuals wintering in Estonia. Such a colourful individual in the light of snow – azure-blue, white, brick red. Disproportionately large head and long beak for a small bird. Wings are wide and short; extremely short and straight-cut tail, with tiny red legs. Less than twenty centimetres in length and weighs about forty grams. Male birds have black beaks, while female birds have beaks with red lower mandible – all there is left to do, is to hope for an encounter with the common kingfisher. The most likely places to meet the bird are the so-called trout rivers: in northern, south-eastern or southern Estonia.

 

The timid common kingfisher escapes with resounding shrieks when it sees danger. Catch is stalked from a perch above the river; after a successful dive the kingfisher surfaces with a small fish in its beak.  Sometimes they also search for invertebrates in the shallow shore waters of rapids. Naturally, the common kingfisher is protected in Estonia.