Common Kingfisher

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Common Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, Raja Udang
The common kingfisher is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In temperate regions, this kingfisher inhabits clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. It frequents scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which it hunts. This species is resident in areas where the climate is mild year-round, but must migrate after breeding from regions with prolonged freezing conditions in winter. Most birds winter within the southern parts of the breeding range, but smaller numbers cross the Mediterranean into Africa or travel over the mountains of Malaysia into Southeast Asia. Kingfishers migrate mainly at night, and some Siberian breeders must travel at least 3,000 km between the breeding sites and the wintering areas. The common kingfisher hunts from a perch 1–2 m above the water, on a branch, post or riverbank, bill pointing down as it searches for prey. It bobs its head when food is detected to gauge the distance, and plunges steeply down to seize its prey usually no deeper than 25 cm below the surface. The wings are opened under water and the open eyes are protected by the transparent third eyelid. The bird rises beak-first from the surface and flies back to its perch.
Raja Udang atau Common Kingfisher adalah ‘common’ di kawasan negara sejuk di utara tetapi tidaklah ‘common’ di sini. Ianya hanya boleh didapati apabila tiba musim sejuk di utara menyebabkan spesis ini bermigrasi ke kawasan panas seperti Malaysia. Pada masa ini kebanyakan Raja Udang baru tiba dan boleh didapati menghuni kawasan kawasan berair memburu ikan ikan kecil dan makhluk air yang lain. Ia boleh didapati bertenggek di ranting menjulur ke air sebelum menjunam ke dalam air menangkap ikan, timbul semula dengan ikan di paruh sebelum kembali bertenggek di ranting tadi untuk memakan ikan tersebut.

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Taken on: January 8, 2019
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