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Common Kingfisher
©
© Mathias Schäf
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher is reliant on structurally diverse, unpolluted bodies of water with steep banks and a plentiful supply of small fish to eat. Suitable breeding and hunting habitats have become scarce in Switzerland. Populations fluctuate sharply and are concentrated around bodies of water with natural bank structures. There has been a slight increase of its distribution since the 1990s. The Common Kingfisher can be effectively supported through targeted measures such as the preservation of dynamic watercourses and the renaturalisation of rivers and streams, the creation of natural and artificial nesting banks and the conservation of semi-natural wetland areas.

Distribution and development

Schematic distribution
Verbreitung - Common Kingfisher
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Distribution and prevalence in Switzerland
  • Distribution mainly below 600 m asl along rivers and around lakes/ponds in the Central Plateau, Ticino and Jura.
  • Concentrated around structurally diverse, natural or revitalised watercourses.
  • Around 400–500 breeding pairs, with strong annual fluctuations.
Development in Switzerland
  • Population fluctuating until 2013, with significant recovery since then.
  • Harsh winters regularly lead to population setback.
  • Local increases thanks to targeted species conservation measures and renaturalisation of water bodies.
International
  • Widespread in Europe, North Africa and Asia as far as Japan.
  • European population is not considered to be under threat, but there is a slight downward trend.
  • Significant regional fluctuations and declines (especially in southern Europe), partly due to hydro-engineering schemes.

Habitat and food

©
© Christa Glauser

A natural riverbank crevice used by the Common Kingfisher for nesting.

©
© Matthias Griesser

A steep bank dug out by the Andelfingen Nature Conservation Association on the renaturalised Thur, with nesting hole.

©
© BirdLife-Naturzentrum Klingnauer Stausee

At the Klingnau Reservoir BirdLife Nature Centre, the artificial kingfisher bank is used for several broods every year.

©
© Christa Glauser

A natural riverbank crevice used by the Common Kingfisher for nesting.

©
© Matthias Griesser

A steep bank dug out by the Andelfingen Nature Conservation Association on the renaturalised Thur, with nesting hole.

©
© BirdLife-Naturzentrum Klingnauer Stausee

At the Klingnau Reservoir BirdLife Nature Centre, the artificial kingfisher bank is used for several broods every year.

Habitat
Wetlands and water bodies
Wetlands, Watercourses, Estuaries, Lakes
Food
Amphibiens
Frogs, Newts
Insects and spiders
Insects, Insect larvae
Fish
Fish
Other aquatic animals
Crustaceans
Habitat and food requirements

The Common Kingfisher can be found on various kinds of slow-flowing or still water bodies. These should be as free as possible from contamination with nutrient inputs or pollutants and provide sufficient food and potential nesting sites.

Feeding habitat

  • Hunts in clear, slow-flowing or still waters with shallow areas.
  • Abundant stocks of small fish and suitable perches close to the bank are important.

Nesting site

  • Self-excavated nesting burrows in steep sandy banks, embankment faces or artificial nesting banks.
  • Prefers undisturbed, sparsely vegetated banks with excavatable substrate.
  • Also nests at a distance from water, e.g. in root plates.

Winter habitat

  • Likes ice-free, fish-rich waters with good visibility.
  • Often faithful to its nesting site, moves to lower elevations or to springs when ice forms.
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher is reliant on structurally diverse, unpolluted bodies of water with steep banks and a plentiful supply of small fish to eat. Suitable breeding and hunting habitats have become scarce in Switzerland. Populations fluctuate sharply and are concentrated around bodies of water with natural bank structures. There has been a slight increase of its distribution since the 1990s. The Common Kingfisher can be effectively supported through targeted measures such as the preservation of dynamic watercourses and the renaturalisation of rivers and streams, the creation of natural and artificial nesting banks and the conservation of semi-natural wetland areas.
Priority species at national level
The ‘responsibility’ factor describes the international significance of the Swiss population of a species. The allocation to responsibility classes was based primarily on geographical distribution (Switzerland, Europe or worldwide) and the genetic and/or ecological significance of Swiss populations.
  • Exclusive responsibility
  • Very high responsibility
  • High responsibility
  • Responsibility
  • Joint responsibility
  • Minimal joint responsibility
Operational level
The level at which measures should be taken for all national priority species is specified within the framework of specific 'species conservation' (SC), 'habitat conservation' (HC), or the biodiversity-friendly use of natural resources on the ""entire territory"" (ET) by all sectoral policies. Each species has been assigned to only one level. If measures at the 'entire territory' (ET) level are insufficient for the conservation and promotion of the species, measures at the second level, 'specific habitat conservation' (HC), are required. If this is also insufficient, specific 'species conservation' (SC) measures must also be applied. Therefore, a species requiring specific species conservation measures must also be given special consideration when implementing measures at the 'specific habitat conservation' and 'entire country area' levels.
  • SC species conservation
  • HC habitat conservation
  • NT national territory
SC
Urgency
An expert assessment was made of the urgency with which measures should be implemented, continued and/or newly planned for all species assigned to the specific 'species conservation' and 'habitat conservation' action levels. The two factors of endangerment and international responsibility were considered, as were the prospects of success.
  • Necessary and important
Circle
Circle
Circle
Population in Switzerland
(2025)
The population estimate indicates how many pairs bred during the specified period. As this number fluctuates from year to year and due to uncertainties in population surveys, a range is given. For some species that are difficult to survey, only displaying males are listed. The population estimates cannot be simply doubled to derive the number of individuals. The number of birds is much higher after the breeding season, some birds take years to reach reproductive maturity, and in some cases the sex ratio is not 1:1.
400-600pairs
Red List
Red lists are based on the scientific criteria of the IUCN and assess the risk of extinction of a species. This helps to identify where there is a particularly urgent need for action in nature conservation.
  • Vulnerable (VU)

Birds of Switzerland

Common Kingfisher To the species profile in the bird database

Project managers

Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats

Habitat loss, riverbank works, water turbidity and nesting-site disturbance are restricting the population. Predators and harsh winters also pose a threat to the Common Kingfisher. Unpolluted non-stagnant waters are also important to ensure the availability of sufficient food such as fish and insects.

 
Breeding season
  • Lack of steep banks or embankments and substrate suitable for digging nest cavities.
  • Lack of shallow water areas.
  • Disturbance caused by humans or predators.
  • Risk of flooding at high water if nesting sites are too low.
  • Inadequate food supply.
 
Migration/ Winter
  • Ice formation on rivers and lakes makes finding food more difficult and sometimes leads to high winter mortality.
  • A lack of ice-free waters to retreat to and disturbance at resting places result in losses.
Show more
Necessary activities
Monitoring
  • Long-term monitoring of population trends based on nesting site inspections and surveys of territory along suitable watercourses.
  • Monitoring of the success of artificial nesting banks and the revitalisation of water bodies.
 
Conservation
  • Improving the quality of water bodies and of habitats in general.
  • Revitalisation of riverbanks and watercourses.
  • Preservation and construction of steep banks and embankments suitable for excavation, also creation of structured water bodies with perches.
  • Construction of artificial nesting banks.
  • Protection of water bodies from damage and disturbance during the breeding season.
 
Research
  • Targeted recording of the impact of disturbance.
  • Studies on the use of artificial nesting banks and breeding success in them.
  • Research into movement away from territory and habitat use in winter.
  • Knowledge of factors influencing the colonisation of new areas and maximum population densities.
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Prospects for success and prognostics
  • Populations remain dependent on the weather and therefore fluctuate.
  • Numbers could increase with targeted conservation and improvement of water-body quality.
  • In revitalised river systems, local populations are likely to increase.
  • Climate change may reduce winter mortality in the long term, but increases the risk of more frequent extreme weather events.
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Conservation measures and stakeholders
Offer and maintain nesting aids

Create and maintain new natural (steep banks) and artificial nesting sites, e.g. by removing vegetation.

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Cantons
Hunting and fishing
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Prevent / minimize disturbances
Disturbances by humans, dogs or vehicles can, amongst other things, affect habitats and lead to breeding losses.
Show more
Cantons
Hunting and fishing
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Private individuals
Promote singing or hunting perches

Structured water bodies provide perches.

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Cantons
Hunting and fishing
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Watercourse renaturation

Renaturalisation of watercourses, in particular by restoring habitats for species dependent on river ecosystems.

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Cantons
Communities
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Publications
Additional resources
Gravel pits – refuges for displaced species
vogelwarte.ch
©
© Mathias Schäf
Birds of Switzerland

Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher’s scintillating colouring, its secretive habits and its rarity have made it famous. According to a French legend, it acquired its colours because Noah released it with the mission to look for dry land. To avoid a violent storm, the Kingfisher had to fly higher than the sun. Like this, its upperparts took on the blue of the sky and its underparts became tinged re...
To the species profile in the bird database

Synergies with other priority species

Sand Martin

				

			

				

					

						

							 Conservation ProgrammeFor birds in switzerland
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The “Swiss species recovery programme for birds” is a partnership programme between the Swiss Ornithological Institute, BirdLife Switzerland and the FOEN. Together with the federal government, cantons, nature conservation organisations and other stakeholders, it implements targeted measures for priority bird species to ensure their survival.							

						

					


					

						

							
							
Swiss Ornithological Institute

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BirdLife Switzerland

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Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

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