The so-called Common Kingfisher is not a common bird in our area although it is a widespread breeding resident in small numbers.  Unlike the much commoner White-throated Kingfisher, the Common depends entirely on fish and this means that it may find it difficult to find food in murky waters.

It feeds mainly by diving into the water from a low perch having sighted its prey. It will also hover and dive but its favoured fishing method means that it generally avoids large stretches of open water with no perches. Since this small kingfisher can only eat small fish (and they are often fish fry concentrated at the edge of water bodies), this tends to restrict it to the edges of wetlands with overhanging tree and bush branches, and to small streams and pools.

Because of their low perching habits Common Kingfishers are easily bypassed. Would-be observers need to get the correct angle to scan the bare branches of bushes and trees close to the water although they will sometimes perch on more open posts and other structures. Usually the first contact is with the piercing “chee” call and then the sight of a brilliant greenish-blue shape speeding low over the water. Common Kingfishers breed from March to June in metre long, self-excavated burrows in sand and mud banks. They are usually solitary or in pairs.