There’s probably a man somewhere on the planet that is sure he is the best fisherman there is in the entire world, and he’s got all the trophies, pictures, and records to prove it. But we’re sorry to have to let this guy down pretty hard, since the challenger to his angling prowess measures just a few inches in length and weighs less than a pound. We’re talking, of course, about none other than the colorful kingfisher bird.
The kingfisher bird occurs throughout the world’s temperate and tropic zones, with the highest concentration in the Old World tropics and Australasia. Very few species occur in the Americas, and none at all are found in the polar regions or extremely arid deserts. Although their behavior and even their very names suggest a preferred habitat near water, kingfishers can also inhabit deserts, coral atolls, mountains, woodlands, and even urban areas with cultivated zones like parks and gardens.
Their diet can vary widely based on their habitat, and can include crustaceans, amphibians, mollusks, insects, and even some smaller birds and mammals. But the kingfisher is most famous for its antics near water, as its specialized skill for hunting, catching, and eating fish is unparalleled in the animal kingdom. Their method is simple: target prey from a perch above the water; expertly swoop in and capture target; take catch back to perch and beat it to break or dislodge bones and protective spines. Pretty impressive for a little blue sapphire with wings.
But that’s one of the most incredible things about the kingfisher bird. Though it appears to be a brilliant shade of blue, its flashy color is due in part to an optical illusion, a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect. This effect occurs as a result of the structure of the kingfisher’s wing feathers and the way the light is scattered off of it, creating blue light that enhances the natural hue of the feathers, which can range from dull brown to green and red. No matter the color, every kingfisher shares the same characteristic beak, perfectly designed to catch and eat within seconds.
Featured Image from Boris Smokrovic/Unsplash
