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Another bird to look for at river banks is the kingfisher – our only bird with nearly parrot-bright colouring (in addition to the European Roller, Corracias garrulus). Its many-hued plumage serves partly as protection: seen from above the kingfisher’s back, with its shimmering bright blue shades, melts into the sky image mirrored on the river surface; again, seen from land the reddish underparts are nearly unnoticeable against a sandstone bank background.

 

A part of the kingfishers remain in Estonia for the winter after the nesting period. The kingfisher can be found at steep river banks, sitting on a branch overhanging the water. When it notices food – fish – it plunges into the water. It is as if a jewel would drop into the waters!