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The Common kingfisher


The Common kingfisher
Photo Information
Copyright: Zahoor Ahmed (zahoor_salmi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 0 N: 618] (5538)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-01-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40D, 400f5.6 L
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-01-29 8:43
Viewed: 3234
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This species has the typical short-tailed, dumpy-bodied large-headed and long-billed kingfisher shape. The adult male of the western European subspecies, A. a. ispida has green-blue upperparts with pale azure-blue back and rump, a rufous patch by the bill base, and a rufous ear-patch. It has a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with some red at the base. The legs and feet are bright red.[5] It is about 16 cm (6.3 in) long with a wingspan of 25 cm (10 in),[5] and weighs 34–46 g (1.2–1.7 oz).[6]

The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with duller and greener upperparts and paler underparts. Its bill is black, and the legs are also initially black.[5]


Nominate A. a. atthis in ItalyThe flight of the Kingfisher is fast, direct and usually low over water. The short rounded wings whirr rapidly, and a bird flying away shows an electric-blue "flash" down its back.[6]

In North Africa, Europe and Asia north of the Himalayas this is the only small blue kingfisher. In south and southeast Asia it can be confused with six other small blue-and-rufous kingfishers, but the rufous ear patches distinguish it from all but juvenile Blue-eared Kingfisher; details of the head pattern may be necessary to differentiate the two species where both occur.[5]

The Common kingfisher has no song. The flight call is a short sharp whistle, chee, repeated two or three times. Anxious birds emit a harsh, shrit-it-it and nestlings call for food with a churring noise.[5]

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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Zahoor.
This is another perfect image of a king fisher from yours wonderful collection.
Congratulations and best greetings.Alin.

Great shot. As if the beak is coming out of the frame.Awesome.
Congratulations
Regards
Nazir

Hello Zahoor,
So warm colors and great sharpness! This is a fantastic shot! Congratulations,
Catherine

Colors and sharpness are wonderful.
TFS

Hi Zhoor,
Impressive! great details and colors! a carnival bird!
You get the best, of each one 400 mm of focal length! ;-)
TFS
Regards,
Jesús

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 438 W: 11 N: 534] (2540)
  • [2010-01-29 16:54]

wow! quel portrait magnifique!
belles detailles, belles couleurs.
une tres bonne netette.

merci

Beautiful capture of this little hard-to-catch bird. Beautiful colours, tack sharp, nicely oof bg and excellent light.

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