🐦 Today's Bird｜Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher is a common resident bird found from plains to low altitudes in Taiwan, often seen near rivers, ponds, reservoirs, and irrigation canals. It measures about 17 cm, with its most striking feature being the vibrant blue on its back and tail, an orange-red belly, and a long, sharp beak. It frequently perches on small branches protruding near the water, observing the surface intently, and dives into the water to catch fish and shrimp upon spotting them. Its primary diet consists of small fish, but it also eats shrimp and aquatic insects. Females have a reddish lower mandible, while males have a mostly black beak. 🌿 Fun Fact The Common Kingfisher's feathers appear to emit a blue glow, but this blue is not entirely due to pigment. It's a 'structural color' formed by the scattering of light due to the microstructures of the feathers. Therefore, depending on the angle or light, the blue on its back might appear deeper or lighter.