Animal: Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Numerous, depending on the type and species

Animal Type: Bird

Habitats: Desert, Island, Prairie and Steppe, Savanna, Scrubland, Temperate Forest, Tropical Rain Forest, Wetland, River, and Lake

The Kingfisher:

There are about 90 species of kingfisher. They are found throughout the world. The etymology of kingfisher is obscure, the term comes from king's fisher, but why that name was applied is not known.

Physical Characteristics:

All kingfishers have large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. They are able to see well both in air and under water. To do this, their eyes have evolved an egg-shaped lens able to focus in the two different environments.

Food Chain:

Kingfishers that live near water hunt small fish by diving. They also eat crayfish, frogs, and insects. Wood kingfishers eat reptiles. Kingfishers of all three families beat their prey to death, either by whipping it against a tree or by dropping it on a stone.

Habitat features:

Kingfishers live in both woodland and wetland habitats.