animals, animals, animals

Paying homage to the wonderful, unusual and diverse world of animals. I make no claim to content ownership. Sources are credited (with links) whenever possible — on both unique posts & re-blogs. Any post will be removed upon request (please provide URL link to the post/page). Enjoy! Email: animalworldtumblrblog@gmail.com Twitter: @animalworldtoo


Links   Ask me anything   Submit


Reblogged from rhamphotheca
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) ©Robin Newlin Being a kingfisher - it’s not as easy as it looks Like all kingfishers, the Common Kingfishers is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, where a bird will grab the other’s beak and try to hold it under water. The early days for fledged juveniles are more hazardous; during its first dives into water, about four days after leaving the nest, a fledgling may become waterlogged and drown.   Many young will not have learned to fish by the time they are driven out of their parents’ territory, and only about half survive more than a week or two. Most kingfishers die of cold or lack of food, and a severe winter can kill a high percentage of the birds. Summer floods can destroy nests or make fishing difficult, resulting in starvation of the brood. Only a quarter of the young survive to breed the following year, but this is enough to maintain the population. Likewise, only a quarter of adult birds survive from one breeding season to the next. Very few birds live longer than one breeding season. The oldest bird on record was 21 years. Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Kingfisher Other photos you may enjoy: Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Indian Kingfisher European Bee Eater —- rhamphotheca: Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (Photo - Robin Newlin)

COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) ©Robin Newlin

Being a kingfisher - it’s not as easy as it looks

Like all kingfishers, the Common Kingfishers is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, where a bird will grab the other’s beak and try to hold it under water.

The early days for fledged juveniles are more hazardous; during its first dives into water, about four days after leaving the nest, a fledgling may become waterlogged and drown.   Many young will not have learned to fish by the time they are driven out of their parents’ territory, and only about half survive more than a week or two. Most kingfishers die of cold or lack of food, and a severe winter can kill a high percentage of the birds. Summer floods can destroy nests or make fishing difficult, resulting in starvation of the brood. Only a quarter of the young survive to breed the following year, but this is enough to maintain the population. Likewise, only a quarter of adult birds survive from one breeding season to the next. Very few birds live longer than one breeding season. The oldest bird on record was 21 years.

Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Kingfisher

Other photos you may enjoy:

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

Indian Kingfisher

European Bee Eater

—-

rhamphotheca:

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (Photo - Robin Newlin)

Notes

  1. lucifur-coat reblogged this from animalworld
  2. floranceselgrade reblogged this from animalworld
  3. thisbloghasnohats reblogged this from animalworld
  4. wanderingbird reblogged this from vmburkhardt
  5. adrianataly reblogged this from rhamphotheca and added:
    bird lookin’ fly
  6. tarantulamilk reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  7. disseminatingmymannerisms reblogged this from bunburysbees and added:
    so cute
  8. bunburysbees reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  9. stpost reblogged this from eclecticmusing
  10. agypsyinaustin reblogged this from eclecticmusing
  11. eclecticmusing reblogged this from another-sunny-afternoon
  12. another-sunny-afternoon reblogged this from petitpoulailler
  13. petitpoulailler reblogged this from vmburkhardt and added:
    Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis; Photo - Robin Newlin
  14. eduardo- reblogged this from daydreamering
  15. daydreamering reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  16. vmburkhardt reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  17. lauraarabellss reblogged this from allreblogged
  18. oranges-and-licorice reblogged this from animalworld
  19. blackkittenclan reblogged this from rhamphotheca and added:
    Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (Photo - Robin Newlin)
  20. imhercules reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  21. profoak reblogged this from animalworld
  22. naveloftheworld reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  23. wallshadow reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  24. marcheesy reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  25. greener-seaweed reblogged this from rhamphotheca
  26. kabinessence reblogged this from psilocymian
  27. psilocymian reblogged this from animalworld