The Asian Kingfisher’s feathers are utilized in various fly patterns, such as salmon and trout flies, adding unique colors to creations like Theakston’s Heron Spinner or salmon flies.
The Indian Kingfisher Full Skin finds applications in Chatterer bodies, Black Ranger and Britannia cheeks, Blue Baron and Kendle tails, and more. Notably, kingfisher feathers are specified in certain fly patterns like the White Doctor and Blue Rover. They play a fundamental role in crafting William Blacker salmon flies, including those described in the 1842 and 1855 editions of the Art of Fly Making.
The common kingfisher, also known as the Eurasian kingfisher, is a small bird with seven subspecies found across Eurasia and North Africa. Residing in much of its range, it migrates from areas with frozen rivers in winter. This sparrow-sized bird has a short-tailed, large-headed profile, blue upperparts, orange underparts, and a long bill. It catches fish by diving, aided by special visual adaptations. Glossy white eggs are laid in nests at the end of riverbank burrows.
The western European subspecies, A. a. ispida, has green-blue upperparts, rufous patches, and a distinctive appearance. Adult males have a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with red at the base. Females are similar but with an orange-red lower mandible. Juveniles have duller colors and black bills, with feathers moulting gradually.
The kingfisher’s flight is fast, direct, and low over water. The short, rounded wings produce a rapid whirr, and a bird flying away reveals an electric-blue flash down its back. In North Africa, Europe, and Asia north of the Himalayas, it is the only small blue kingfisher. In south and southeast Asia, it can be confused with similar species, but rufous ear patches distinguish it.
Despite having no song, the common kingfisher emits a short, sharp whistle as a flight call, repeated two or three times. Anxious birds produce a harsh sound, while nestlings call for food with a churring noise.
The kingfisher is the common substitutes for blue chatter.
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